FDA Warns Panama Fish Exporter of Deficient HACCP Plan, Threatens Detention
The Food and Drug Administration found violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation in fish processor New Life Corp. of Panama’s response to an earlier letter, it said in a warning letter dated June 7. USDA said it found New Life’s HACCP plan deficient because (i) it did not list the significant hazard of undeclared allergens for “Mahi Mahi Fresco”; (ii) failed to list a critical limit for decomposition; (iii) inadequate monitoring procedures/frequencies for the process critical control point to control histamine and the storage critical control point; and (iv) inadequate corrective action plans.
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FDA said New Life should respond in writing within 15 working days from receipt of the warning letter, or FDA may take further action, such as refusal of admission of New Life’s imported fish or fishery products, including placing them on detention without physical examination (DWPE).
(FDA's DWPE is an administrative procedure whereby products offered for import into the United States may be detained without physical examination upon entry. DWPE information may be conveyed in FDA's Import Alerts.)