The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for imported frozen catfish products that were illegally imported from the People’s Republic of China and are ineligible for entry into the United States. 

The products were not certified for export to the U.S. by the government of China as being produced under equivalent inspection, they do not identify a certified establishment number on their packaging, and they were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection as required. These factors make the products ineligible to import into the U.S. and unfit for human consumption. FSIS is working with other agencies to investigate how these products entered the country.

“FSIS is concerned that some product may be in retailers’ and consumers’ freezers or refrigerators. Retailers who have purchased the products are urged not to sell them. Consumers who purchased the products should not consume them and need to dispose of them properly. Consumers are asked to dispose of the products by double bagging them to reduce the possibility of animals accessing the products,” according to the public warning.

The following product is subject to the public health alert:

• 12-oz. (340 g) plastic packages containing “FROZEN STRIPED PANGASIUS MAWS.”

The products subject to the public health alert do not bear any producing establishment information or import marks on the labels and are packed in plain white shipping cartons devoid of labels or markings. These items are believed to have been shipped to retail and wholesale locations in New York, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.                                

The problem was discovered during FSIS surveillance activities conducted at a wholesaler. By law, commercial imports of meat, poultry, and egg products must be produced in certified establishments in eligible countries, and these products must be presented to FSIS for import reinspection prior to entering U.S. commerce. 

Raw Siluriformes fish products from specific establishments in China are eligible for importation provided the raw materials originate from a certified establishment.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in retailers’ and consumers’ freezers or refrigerators. Retailers who have purchased the products are urged not to sell them. Consumers who purchased the products should not consume them and need to dispose of them properly. Consumers are asked to dispose of the products by double bagging them to reduce the possibility of animals accessing the products.