IA#17-01,   -----3/29/93

This revision updates the information and reformats the text of the
alert.



TYPE OF ALERT: Surveillance

PRODUCT      : Frozen Rabbit

PRODUCT CODE : 17A-G06

HARMONIZED
CODE         : 0208.10.00

PROBLEM      : Salmonella (FLPA)
               Filth (FLNF)
               Decomposition (MSDC)
               Pesticide (PTNC)


COUNTRY      : All

MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER      : All

MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER I.D.#: All

IMPORTER'S
I.D. #       :


CHARGE       : For Salmonella, charge:

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

               For Filth and/or Decomposition:

               "The article is subject to refusal of admission
               pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears to
               consist in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or
               decomposed substance or is otherwise unfit for food
               [Adulteration, Section 402(a)(3)]."

               For Pesticides, charge:

               "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, namely
               ________________, which is a food additive which is
               unsafe within the meaning of Section 409
               [Adulteration, Section 402(a)(2)(C)]."

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

REASON FOR
ALERT        : Imported rabbit meat continues to be an FDA
               responsibility.  Most of the rabbit meat imported
               annually is received from Australia and the
               People's Republic of China.  However, importations
               have also been received from Poland, England,
               France, Argentina, Haiti, and the Midway Islands.

               During the past several years, there continues to
               be detentions of rabbit meat due to Salmonella.  In
               FY 92, 2 shipments of rabbit meat from Australia
               were detained due to Salmonella.  In addition,
               there are still concerns with decomposition,
               pesticide residues and filth.

INSTRUCTIONS : Continue surveillance of frozen rabbit shipments
               from all countries for Salmonella, pesticide
               contamination, decomposition, bacterial pathogens,
               and filth.

               If pesticide residues are detected in rabbit meat,
               contact Import Branch, HFS-606, CFSAN at 202-205-
               4726 regarding detention action.

               If bacteriological contaminated (i.e., Salmonella)
               is found forward information including analytical
               worksheets, to HFC-170 for consideration for
               automatic detention of violative firms.

PRIORITIZATION
GUIDANCE     : II

FOI          : No purging required

KEYWORDS     : Rabbit, pesticide, Salmonella, filth, decomposition

PREPARED BY  : Linda A. Wisniowski, DIOP, 301-443-6553.