"Detention Without Physical Examination of Frozen Raw and Cooked Conchmeat"

This alert was initiated in 1985 for firms in the Dominican Republic when it was determined that a detention rate of 89.7% existed for conchmeat due to decomposition.

In FY93, ORL-DO reported that 10 of 21 shipments (47.6% detention rate) of conchmeat from firms in Honduras were detained because of decomposition. Other detentions were made due to presence of sulfites
and/or undeclared sulfites.

Because the handling of conchmeat, prior to the cooking step, would be the same for both raw and cooked conchmeat, this import alert applies to both styles of product.

Districts may detain, without physical examination, all shipments of conchmeat that are from firms not in the attachment for this alert.


Because of the continued high detention rate due to decomposition of this product, an increase in sampling and analyses of this product is warranted.

For questions or issues concerning science, science policy, sample collection, analysis, preparation, or analytical methodology, contact the Division of Field Science at (301) 796-6600.

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

Frozen raw and cooked conchmeat

"The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or to be otherwise unfit for food. [Adulteration, Section 402(a)(3)]"

OASIS charge code - FILTHY