U.S. Drops Ball On Port Of Entry Inspection

[Mike]

Givaudan, the world's biggest fragrance and flavors maker, recalled about 3,950 pounds (1,800 kilos) of beef tallow products because they hadn't been presented for inspection at the U.S. point of entry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

The products, used in the production of powdered beef flavor, had been manufactured by York Food Pty Ltd in Australia. They were imported through Chicago, used to make beef flavor, and then shipped to locations in Ohio and Texas.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a statement late on Monday that without inspection there was the risk of adverse health consequences. The USDA said Givaudan had received no reports of adverse reactions.

A Givaudan spokesman in Switzerland did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

 

[mrj]

Not sure I'm understanding who 'dropped the ball' on inspection. If it wasn't presented for inspection by the importer, and was turned down by USDA, wasn't it the importer who dropped the ball? The number of pounds doesn't sound like much till considering that it us used as a flavoring.....those few pounds might go into a very large amount of consumer product, after all. Good if it was caught before getting in the food supply.

mrj

 

[Mike]

Surely the FSIS isn't sitting on their rumpus waiting for a call from someone to come inspect? We MUST be more proactive than that!

Customs checks everything that comes in to the U.S., whether it be by air, land, or sea. They would be the one that should notify the FSIS.