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IA #21-15 - 12/13/00, IMPORT ALERT #21-15, "DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION OF DRIED FIG PASTE DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF AFLATOXIN"

(NOTE:    This import alert represents the Agency's current guidance to FDA field personnel
          regarding the manufacturer(s) and/or product(s) at issue.  It does not create or confer
          any rights for or on any person, and does not operate to bind FDA or the public.)

TYPE OF ALERT  : Detention Without Physical Examination

PRODUCT        : Dried Fig Paste

PRODUCT CODE   : 21T[][]03

PROBLEM        : Aflatoxin

PAF (Problem
Area Flag)          : MYC (Mycotoxin)

PAC FOR
COLLECTION     : 07002

COUNTRY        : Turkey (TR)

MANUFACTURER
 and FEI         :  Figex Packers of East Best Quality
                 Ataturk Cad. No. 218/7
                 Izmir, Turkey
                 FEI #3002625876
SHIPPER
 and FEI         :  N/A

CONSIGNEE
 and FEI         :  N/A


OASIS CHARGE
CODE           :    Aflatoxin

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





RECOMMENDING
OFFICE      :  New York District, HFR-NE152
               Division of Import Operations & Policy, HFC-170

REASON FOR
ALERT       :  In June 2000, NYK-DO collected and analyzed a sample of dried fig paste
               manufactured by Figex Packers of East Best Quality, Izmir, Turkey.  The
               product was found to contain total aflatoxin levels of 123 ppb and 117 ppb
               original and check analysis respectively.

GUIDANCE    :  Districts may detain without physical examination fig paste products from
               the above-named manufacturer.

               Since fig paste shipments contaminated with aflatoxin have been previously
               encountered, continued surveillance of fig paste shipments, including other
               manufacturers/countries appear warranted.

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.

PRIORITIZATION
GUIDANCE    :  I

FOI         :  No purging is required.

KEYWORDS    :  aflatoxin, fig, paste

PREPARED BY :  Jack Geltman, Opns. & Policy Branch, HFC-172, DIOP, (301)443-6553

DATE LOADED
INTO FIARS     : DECEMBER 13, 2000