IA #12-07,  4/16/96,     ATTACHMENT REVISED 8/29/03
     NOTE:     This alert is being revised to provide changes in format
               and/or terminology and are bracketed by asterisks (***)

SUBJECT   ***DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION/INTENSIFIED COVERAGE OF
          CHEESE FROM THE AZORES/PORTUGAL***

TYPE OF ALERT :     ***Detention Without Physical Examination/Intensified
                    Coverage

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

PRODUCT CODE  :     12[][][][][]

PROBLEM    :  Listeria monocytogenes (FLPA)

PAC        :  03037

COUNTRY    :  The Azores/Portugal (735, PT).  The Azores include the
              following islands:  Flores, Corvo, Terceira, Sao Jorge,
              Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Sao Miguel and Santa Maria

MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER    :  See attachment

MANUFACTURER
SHIPPER I.D.# :     N/A

IMPORTER'S
I.D.#         :     N/A

CHARGE     :  "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)]."

RECOMMENDING
OFFICE     :  ***Division of Import Operations and Policy, (HFC-170)***

REASON FOR
ALERT         :     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.




            IMPORT ALERT #12-07 REVISED 4/16/96 PAGE 2


GUIDANCE   :  ***Districts may detain, without physical examination,*** all
              identified cheeses from the named shippers/manufacturers
              identified on the attachment 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.

              ***For questions or issues concerning science, science
              policy, sample collection, analysis, preparation, or
              analytical methodology, contact the Division of Field Science
              at (301 443-3320 or 3007.***


KEYWORDS   :  Cheese, Azores, Listeria, St. Jorges

FOI        :  No purging is necessary.

PRIORITY   :  I

RECOMMENDED BY:     BOSTON DISTRICT

PREPARED BY   :     MARVIN A. BLUMBERG, DIOP, 301-443-6553



        Attachment to Import Alert #12-07 Revised 8/29/03



     ***Products from Cheese Manufacturers to be Detained Without Physical
     Examination Due to Listeria Monocytogenes***


Firm:                              Product:

Uniad Coop. Agricola               S. Jorge Velas Queijo Ilha
Sao Jorge                     (Uniqueijo Cheese)
Portugal                      8/24/94
MID #PTUNICOOSAO

Cooperative Union of Fayal         Cheese (Quijo Prato Pequeno)
Fayal Island
Azores, Portugal
MID# PTCOOUNIFAY

Cooperative Dairy Union of         Lourais Cheese
 of Sao Jorge (Lourais)            12C--99
Sao George (Saint George) Island   12/11/95
Azores, Portugal
MID# PTCOODAISAO

ERU Portuguesa Lda.           Maasdam Cheese Spread
aka Fabrica do Queijo - Eru        12C99/12Y99
 Portuguesa, Lda.             3/11/98
Apartado 6 (P.O. 6)
Carcavelos, Portugal
FEI# 3000987126