FSIS issues alert over illegally imported foods from Myanmar

[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

THE USDA’S FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE HAS ISSUED A PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT – CENTERED ON SEVERAL MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS.

OFFICIALS SAY THESE ITEMS WERE ILLEGALLY IMPORTED FROM THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR.

THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATION IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO EXPORT MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS TO THE UNITED STATES.

THE PRODUCTS INCLUDE CANS AND PACKAGES OF BEEF, CHICKEN, AND FISH.

THE F-S-I-S SAYS THE ITEMS DO NOT BEAR AN ESTABLISHMENT NUMBER OR A USDA MARK OF INSPECTION.

IN A STATEMENT TO STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS FRIDAY AN F-S-I-S SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE AGENCY IS INVESTIGATING HOW THE PRODUCTS ENTERED THE COUNTRY.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAYS BAR-LAR-LAR DOT COM IS THE IMPORTER OF THE RECORD. STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS HAS REACHED OUT TO THE COMPANY FOR COMMENT.

THE F-S-I-S DIRECTED STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS TO ITS IMPORT CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST –AN OVERVIEW OF THE STEPS NEEDED TO BE TAKEN WHEN IMPORTING MEAT, POULTRY, OR EGG PRODUCTS TO THE UNITED STATES.

THE FIRST STEP BEING –– “PRODUCTS MUST ORIGINATE FROM CERTIFIED COUNTRIES AND ESTABLISHMENTS ELIGIBLE TO EXPORT TO THE UNITED STATES.”

THE F-S-I-S SAYS OFFICIALS DISCOVERED THE PRODUCTS FROM MYANMAR WHILE PERFORMING SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES AT A RETAILER.

THE PRODUCTS WERE SHIPPED TO RETAIL LOCATIONS IN NINE STATES:  ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, IOWA, KANSAS, MARYLAND, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, OKLAHOMA, AND TEXAS.

SO FAR THE F-S-I-S SAYS NO ADVERSE REACTIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FROM ANYONE EATING THESE PRODUCTS.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THE F-S-I-S HAS ISSUED A PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT REGARDING MEAT AND POULTRY ITEMS IMPORTED FROM MYANMAR. BACK IN AUGUST – THE AGENCY WARNED CONSUMERS ABOUT THE PRODUCTS NOT BEARING ANY IMPORT MARKS THAT WERE SHIPPED TO RETAILERS NATIONWIDE. THAT INVESTIGATION IS STILL ACTIVE ACCORDING TO THE F-S-I-S WEBSITE.

A SEPARATE OPEN INVESTIGATION FROM JULY INVOLVES MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS ILLEGALLY IMPORTED FROM THE PHILIPPINES – ANOTHER COUNTRY INELIGIBLE TO EXPORT THESE PRODUCTS TO THE US. THESE ITEMS WERE SHIPPED TO RESTAURANTS AND RETAILERS TO MULTIPLE STATES ACROSS THE EAST COAST.

IN A STATEMENT REGARDING THIS LATEST INCIDENT THE AGENCY SAYS:  “F-S-I-S is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries and on retailers’ shelves. Retailers who have purchased the products are urged not to sell them.”

“Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.”

CONSUMERS WITH FOOD SAFETY QUESTIONS CAN CALL THE USDA MEAT AND POULTRY HOTLINE AT 888- 674-6854.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M CRAIG NIGRELLI.

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