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