FDA Issues Import Alert for Papayas from Mexico

---

On August 25, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Import Alert aimed at stopping the introduction of contaminated papaya from entering the country. As announced here, the FDA and its Mexican counterparts have been closely monitoring the salmonella contamination that has been linked to papaya grown in Mexico.

Found here, the Import Alert details the actions that importers must take in order to bring papayas into the country. Specifically, in order to successfully import papayas, importers must provide documentation from an accredited laboratory, showing that each shipment of fruits is not contaminated. As we previously reported on a similar import alert last week, these requirements are frequently imposed by the FDA to prevent shipments from entering the country without proof of their safety. By requiring heightened scrutiny when goods are offered for import, Import Alerts prevent goods from entering the country unless all required documentation is supplied by the importer. Thus, it is important to be aware of relevant FDA import alerts before offering goods for importation, as well as any necessary steps that must be taken to verify compliance with federal law.

For more information on FDA enforcement measures or import compliance, please contact us at contact@fidjlaw.com.