IA #24-21 - 12/18/98, IMPORT ALERT #24-21, "DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL
EXAMINATION OF PARSLEY AND CILANTRO FROM AGRICOLA HERENDIRA, MEXICO DUE TO
SHIGELLA SONNEI"
TYPE OF ALERT: DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
(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).
PRODUCT: Fresh Parsley and Fresh Cilantro
PRODUCT CODE: 24T[][]21 - Parsley
24T[][]99 - Cilantro
PROBLEM: Shigella sonnei
PAF: MIC
PAC FOR
COLLECTION: 03819C
COUNTRY: Mexico (MX, 595)
MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER: Agricola Herendira S. de R.L. de C.V.
San Marcos No. 198 Fracc Buenaventura
Ensenada, Baja CFA, Mexico C.P. 22880
MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER FEI#: 3001295709
CHARGE: "The article is subject to refusal of admission pursuant to
Section 801(a)(3) of the Act in that it appears to bear or
contain a poisonous or deleterious substance which may
render it injurious to health [adulteration, 402(a)1].
RECOMMENDING
OFFICE: Division of Import Operations and Policy, Division of
Emergency & Investigational Operations, and CFSAN/Office of
Field Programs, Imports Branch
REASON FOR
ALERT: In August 1998, there were numerous outbreaks of Shigella
sonnei in the United States and Canada. In many of the
reported cases, subsequent traceback investigations and
epidemiological data implicated fresh parsley from Agricola
Herendira S. de R.L. de C.V., Mexico as the cause of the
outbreaks.
On September 9 and 10, 1998, FDA received reports of an
additional outbreak of Shigella sonnei. Subsequent traceback
investigation and epidemiological data implicated fresh
cilantro from Agricola Herendira, Mexico as the cause of the
outbreak.
Due to the non-uniform nature of contaminant such as
Shigella sonnei in foods of this type, any submission of
private laboratory testing results indicating a non-
violative product should be discussed with CFSAN, Office of
Field Programs Import Branch, before they are determined to
be sufficient to remove the appearance of the violation.
GUIDANCE: Districts may detain fresh parsley and fresh cilantro from
Agricola Herendira, Mexico without physical examination.
PRIORITIZATION
GUIDANCE: I
FOI: No purging is required
KEYWORDS: Parsley, Cilantro, Shigella sonnei, Agricola Herendira
PREPARED BY: George N. Butler, DIOP, 301-443-6553
DATE LOADED
INTO FIARS: 12/18/98
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