FDA Updates Q&A on Japanese Imports

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April 21, 2011

On April 20, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its Import Alert regarding detention without physical examination of milk products, fruit, vegetables, and baby formula from Japan by adding mushrooms from the Fukushima prefecture to the list. As of April 20^th, 2011, the following products from certain Japanese Prefectures, which the Japanese government has restricted for sale or export, are barred from entry into the United States:
 

 

- Turnips, mushrooms, lettuce, celery, cress, endive, escarole, chard, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, flower head brassicas, head-type leafy vegetables, and non-head type leafy vegetables from the Fukushima Prefecture
- Milk from the Fukushima and Ibaraki Prefectures
- Spinach and Kakina from the Fukushima and Ibaraki Prefectures

Additionally, products from the Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Chiba, and Saitama Prefectures of Japan may be detained until the importer can show the products are complaint. The FDA will examine food and feed from ten prefectures and conduct sampling and testing as needed to determine safety of the products. The FDA has also developed special procedures to evaluate drugs originating from the ten prefectures closest to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. These procedures include physical examination of all drugs originating from these prefectures to check for radiation. In addition, the FDA will physically examine and test injectable and inhalable drugs imported from anywhere in Japan. All other food products not listed on the Import Alert will be reviewed using standard procedures.

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