FDA Refusals In August Show Enhanced Coordination Among Ports To Stop Unsafe Shrimp From Entering US Market

Over the holiday weekend, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released information regarding imports refused entry into the United States for the month of August.  In total, the agency reported refusing 148 seafood entry lines last month.  Of these, 31 (20.9%) were of shrimp entry lines refused for reasons related to banned antibiotics.

The 31 refusals in the month were the highest for any month in 2016 so far this year.  With four months still to go, the FDA has reported refusing 110 total entry lines of shrimp for veterinary drug residues.  This is the fourth highest number of such refusals for any year over the last fifteen years.

The elevated level of refusals may reflect improved targeting techniques developed by the agency to address problematic shipments.  Further, the refusals reported for August provide strong evidence that the FDA has improved coordination among the agency’s regional district offices to discourage port shopping.

In August, the FDA reported refusing shrimp entry lines originating from three different companies from three different countries (India, Vietnam, and Malaysia) for banned antibiotics.  Notably, refusals were reported at multiple ports for each company.

To read the rest of the story, please go to: Southern Shrimp Alliance