"Detention Without Physical Examination and Intensified Coverage of Cheese from the Azores/Portugal"

On March 8, 1991 Agriculture Canada issued a National Import Alert for all cheeses imported from Azores/Portugal.

All future shipments will be detained by Agriculture Canada and will be sampled and analyzed for the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms. Failure to meet Canadian Health and Safety Standards will result in re-export of the product from Canada.

The Canadian alert was issued in response to the consistent detection of high levels of pathogenic bacteria, primarily Listeria monocytogenes, in shipments imported during 1990.

FDA was notified by Canadian officials of this action in the event that shipments of these cheeses, exported from Canada, might be brought to the United States for entry.

Districts may detain, without physical examination, all identified cheeses from the named shippers/manufacturers identified on the Red List to this alert due to positive Listeria monocytogenes findings.

Districts should continue to sample and analyze cheese with country of origin of Azores/Portugal, whether imported from Azores/Portugal directly or from Canada for Listeria monocytogenes. Use BAM, 7th Ed., 1992, Chapters 10 and 11.

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

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

Cheese, St. Jorges brand and all other brands from the Azores/Portugal. Possible other brands Topco, Acorn, Laureis

"The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to be injurious to health because it may contain "Listeria Monocytogenes," a poisonous and deleterious substance. [Adulteration, Section 402 (a)(1)]"

OASIS charge code - LISTERIA