Import Alert 99-15

Import Alert # 99-15

Published Date: 02/03/2026

Type: DWPE

"Countrywide Detention Without Physical Examination of Processed Foods for Pesticides"

The revision of this Import Alert (IA) dated 02/03/2026 updates the reason for alert, guidance and agency contacts. Changes to the import alert are bracketed by asterisks (***).

This alert was created to cover countrywide detention without physical examination (DWPE) of processed agricultural products due to illegal pesticide residues. Individual growers/shippers will continue to be covered by Import Alert #99-08, *** "Detention without Physical Examination of Processed Human and Animal Foods for Pesticides."***

***Divisions may detain without physical examination any shipment of preserved and salted duck eggs from Hong Kong and raisins from Turkey, except from a firm identified on the Green List of this alert.***

A firm subject to countrywide DWPE under this alert may also be subject to DWPE under Import Alert #99-08 for another pesticide residue. ***If the firm does not provide evidence to demonstrate that the product is free from all pesticide residues without an established tolerance, including those identified in both their firm listings on Import Alert #99-08 and this alert (#99-15), the product should be refused using the charge below, identifying all the pesticides for which the firm is subject to DWPE.***

Individual growers, processors or shippers can be exempted from countrywide DWPE by providing substantial evidence that their product is in compliance. Exempted growers, processors or shippers are identified in the Green List for this alert. If a firm is listed in the Green List as exempt from countrywide DWPE under this alert but is subject to DWPE under Import Alert #99-08 for another pesticide, the procedures in Import Alert #99-08 should be followed.

Release of Articles Subject to Detention without Physical Examination under this Import Alert:

In order to secure release of an individual shipment subject to DWPE under this import alert, the owner, consignee and/or another responsible party to the shipment should provide information to the Agency, such as a private laboratory analytical package, to adequately demonstrate that the product does not bear or contain pesticide chemical residues that are unsafe within the meaning of section 408(a) of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 346a(a)).

Private laboratory analytical packages containing relevant sampling and analytical records should be submitted to the appropriate FDA Division compliance office for consideration per the notice of detention. For further information regarding private laboratory analyses, please reference FDA's ORA Lab Manual, volume III, section 7. Following receipt and review of private laboratory results, the FDA may, at its discretion, collect and analyze audit samples before rendering a final decision on the admissibility of the article.

For residues regulated as combined residues (including isomers) or residues including metabolites and degradates, FDA will consider whether the private laboratory analyses address all the residues, including isomers, metabolites, or degradates, as listed in 40 CFR part 180 in the applicable regulation.

Resources for private laboratory testing are available at
https://www.fda.gov/media/73540/download

***Removal from Detention Without Physical Examination (ADD TO GREEN LIST):

To remove a firm from Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE) and place it on the Green List, the firm or representative thereof must provide information that adequately demonstrates it has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of a violation. This information is necessary for the Agency to have confidence that future entries will be in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

For additional guidance on removal from DWPE, please refer to FDA’s Regulatory Procedures Manual (RPM), Chapter 9-8-15, “Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE).***

Examples of such documentation may include:

a. Documentation showing preventative action(s) taken to ensure future shipments of product will be in compliance with the U.S. FFD&CA. This should include, at a minimum:

1) A description of current processes which ensure non-permitted pesticides are not being used; and

2) Verification of the process's adequacy.

b. Documentation confirming a minimum of five (5) consecutive non-violative commercial shipments (entries) have been released by FDA based on private laboratory analyses.

Requests to remove a firm from DWPE under this alert that produces various agricultural products should include a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive non-violative commercial shipments (entries) have been released by FDA based on private laboratory analyses, representing the various products.

If a firm and/or a representative thereof would like to request removal from detention without physical examination, they should forward information supporting their request to FDA

via email: Importalerts2@fda.hhs.gov.

*** Requests for removal from DWPE will be referred by DIO to HFP, Office of Enforcement, Imports Enforcement Branch for evaluation.***

Questions or issues involving import operations should be addressed to OII Division of Import Operations (DIO) at (301) 796-0356 or FDAImportsInquiry@fda.hhs.gov.

Questions or issues involving science policy, analysis, preparation, or analytical methodology should be addressed to FDAPRIVATELABIMPORTALERTS@fda.hhs.gov.

Questions or issues with regard to human food on policy, sample collection recommendations, or any additional questions not directly related to a detained (or live) entry, should be addressed to Human Foods Program Imports Enforcement Branch at HFP-OCE-Imports@fda.hhs.gov.

                                                                                                                                                           ***

Processed Foods products subject to countrywide DWPE:

COUNTRY: HONG KONG
1. Duck eggs, in shell

COUNTRY: TURKEY
1. Raisins (dried grapes) (berry)
2. Raisins (dried or paste)

"The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to bear or contain a pesticide chemical residue, which causes the article to be adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(2)(B) of the FD&C Act. Bears or contains:" [ADULTERATION, Section 402(a)(2)(B)]

OASIS CHARGE CODE - PESTICIDE

Desc: Raisins