"Detention Without Physical Examination of Raw And Cooked Shrimp from India"

Fresh (Raw) or Fresh Frozen Shrimp: In 1979, as a result of a high violation rate in Indian shrimp (fresh (raw) or fresh frozen), an Import Alert was issued placing all shrimp shippers from India on detention without physical examination. In January 1980, a Certification Program was agreed upon by FDA and the Indian government as an assurance that more stringent testing and export controls would be implemented by the Indian government for filth and decomposition.

A list of shippers exempt from detention without physical examination for filth and decomposition (when accompanied by certificates) was developed. These firms remained on detention without physical examination for Salmonella. Review of the Indian certificates since 1989 by New York District disclosed a pattern of certificate alterations. This resulted in the implementation of an intensive FDA audit and surveillance sampling program demonstrating a high violation rate and further undermining agency confidence in the Indian Certification Program. Accordingly FDA repealed the Certification Program in 1992.

Cooked Shrimp: Between April and September 1994, 10 of 11 entries of cooked shrimp from India sampled by FDA were detained because of decomposition (91%). Between December 1993 and September 1994, 15 of 18 entries (83%) of Indian cooked shrimp that were sampled by FDA were detained because of decomposition.

Districts may detain, without physical examination, all fresh (raw), fresh frozen , and cooked shrimp from India, except shipments from those firms listed as exempt in the Green List to this alert. The Green List to this alert lists firms whose fresh (raw), and fresh frozen shrimp are exempt from detention without physical examination. The Green List also identifies and lists firms whose cooked shrimp are
exempt from detention without physical examination.

Fresh (raw), and fresh frozen shrimp should be detained for filth, decomposition, and Salmonella. Cooked shrimp should be detained for decomposition only.

Entries of shrimp:

1. Fresh (raw), and fresh frozen, should be tested for filth, decomposition, and Salmonella by a private laboratory.

2. Cooked shrimp should be tested for decomposition by a private laboratory.

Note: The private laboratory should employ FDA methodology as listed in the Import Seafood Products Compliance Program, 7303.844.

3. Should be audit sampled for filth, decomposition and Salmonella as appropriate at a rate consistent with the districts knowledge of the frm and private laboratory.

Contact the Division of Field Science at 301 796-6600 for any issues and/or questions regarding science, science policy, sample collection, analysis, preparation, analytical methodology or confirmation tests.

All requests for removal from detention without physical examination should be address to DIOP 301-796-0356.

Fresh (Raw) or Fresh Frozen Shrimp should be charged with Filth, Decomposition, and Salmonella. Cooked Shrimp should be charged with Decomposition only.

"The article is subject to refusal of Admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to contain filth (rodent, cat, insect, other animal) or is decomposed [Adulteration, Section 402(a)(3).]"

OASIS charge code - FILTHY

and/or

"The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to contain Salmonella, a poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health Adulteration, Section 402(a)(1).]"

OASIS charge code - SALMONELLA