"Detention Without Physical Examination of Dried Fruits Due To Lead"

In January and February, 1996, BUF-DO sampled two lots of Turkish sultanas, a small, yellow, seedless raisin, based on information received from SEA-DO. Lead analysis revealed levels in excess of 1 ppm in both samples. Screening for lead in other shipments of Turkish raisins indicate lead levels ranging from 0.83 to 0.98.

Additionally, Canada's Health Protection Branch has performed extensive lead testing of Turkish raisins with results frequently indicating lead levels of concern to FDA.

FY'96 data for Turkish raisins indicate that 15 of 22 samples analyzed for lead were found to contain levels in excess of 0.250 ppm. This represents a violation rate of 68%. In December, 1996, detention without physical examination was extended to all Turkish sultanas.

During January, 1997, BUF-DO collected a sample of Mexican raisins that were transshipped through Canada. Analysis by NERL indicated lead levels of 317 ppb and 270 ppb of original and check analysis respectively.

***During 2006, repeated findings of lead levels considered unsafe were found in samples of imported dried fruit collected for analysis under CPGM 7304.019, "Toxic Elements in Food and Foodware, and Radionuclides in Food."

Sweetened prunes from Taiwan and salted plums from Mexico were found to
contain lead levels of 1.1 mg/kg and 1.4 mg/kg respectively.***

Districts may detain without physical examination entries of ***dried fruit***from the individual firms listed on the attachment for this alert.

Districts should submit a recommendation for detention without physical examination for any ***dried fruit*** shipment found to contain lead in excess of ***0.1*** ppm. ***DIOP and CFSAN will evaluate regulatory packages on a case by case basis. Evidence for firms requesting removal from DWPE should be forwarded to DIOP. DIOP will forward the supporting scientific evidence to CFSAN for evaluation.***

***For questions concerning compliance or criteria for the release of shipments, contact CFSAN/DE/Product Adulteration Branch.***

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.

***DRIED FRUIT***

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

OASIS charge code - PB-FOODS