Navigating FDA’s import alerts

News 09:45 13/09/2014
(SeafoodSource) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) almost daily issues “Import Alerts.” A recent one that affects many seafood importers was issued on May 1, 2012, is Import Alert #16-81, and is entitled “Detention Without Physical Examination of Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella.” The Import Alert identified hundreds of specific companies from countries all over the world. Any seafood from those listed companies on the “Red List” will not be allowed to enter the United States, but instead be detained because of the suspected presence of salmonella pursuant to 21 USC 801(a)(3).

Fortunately, there is a procedure to clear the seafood through FDA for any automatically detained seafood, even if it is on the Red List. Although many people mistakenly believe that adulterated food may come from certain countries such as China, the truth is that there are hundreds of companies listed from countries including Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, Philippines, etc. An importer must establish to the FDA that the particular shipment of seafood has been tested using the Salmonella Analyses described in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM), 7th Edition (1992). Use of a private laboratory familiar with food testing for FDA import procedures must be contacted, and samples obtained, submitted and analyzed by the food testing laboratory. A laboratory report must then be issued by the private laboratory to the FDA. Once the FDA laboratory reviews the report and determines that the particular shipment is not adulterated with salmonella, the FDA compliance officer at the local port where the food is being detained will authorize the release of the shipment through an FDA Notice of Action. Otherwise, the seafood will be “refused” by the FDA, and, within 90 days, must be destroyed under FDA supervision or exported from the United States under the supervision of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). An attorney familiar with both CBP and FDA import procedures often works with the importer to coordinate the activities of the private laboratory with the local FDA compliance officer.

Moreover, there is a specific procedure for foreign suppliers identified on the Import Alert’s Red List to be removed from detention without physical examination through a request to the FDA’s Division of Import Operations and Policy (DIOP). That means that a foreign manufacturer or supplier of seafood can permanently get off the Red List so that the seafood it ships to the United States will automatically proceed through FDA without being detained and examined. The process may take several weeks to several months before the FDA issues a decision on the request for removal from the Red List.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết Navigating FDA’s import alerts tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

VASEP published Report on Vietnam seafood exports in 2025

 |  11:00 11/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.

Ca Mau’s shrimp-rice model proves effective in climate change adaptation

 |  09:28 09/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.

Lam Dong tightens fishing vessel management in decisive crackdown on IUU fishing

 |  15:02 06/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Can Tho’s fishery output hits nearly 783,000 tons in 2025.

 |  15:12 04/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.

Pangasius exports in 2025 exceed USD 2 billion, with strong growth in multiple markets

 |  16:26 02/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.

Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain shift sharply toward processed segments

 |  09:48 26/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.

VIFTA expands opportunities for Vietnamese seafood enterprises in the Israeli market

 |  09:02 22/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...

Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports surge, EU market emerging as a late-2025 growth driver

 |  09:43 20/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.

Ca Mau leads the nation in shrimp output

 |  10:08 16/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.

Pangasius fingerling prices hit record highs

 |  15:21 14/01/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC