FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Imported Meat and Poultry Products from China

Chinese Translation (Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese)| Updated Products and Labels (5/17/2023)

Editor’s note: Feb. 7, 2022: Upon further investigation, FSIS has identified additional meat and poultry products that were produced with ineligible sources of meat and poultry and were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection. FSIS expects there to be additional ineligible products and urges consumers to check back frequently to view updated lists and photos.   

Editor’s note: Feb. 4, 2022: Upon further investigation, FSIS has identified additional meat and poultry products that were produced with ineligible sources of meat and poultry and were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection. 

Editor’s note: Feb. 3, 2022: Upon further investigation, FSIS has identified additional meat and poultry products that were produced with ineligible sources of meat and poultry and were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection. By law, commercial imports of meat, poultry, and egg products must be produced in certified establishments in eligible countries, and these must be presented to FSIS for import reinspection prior to entering U.S. commerce. Currently, raw Siluriformes fish and processed chicken and duck products from specific establishments in China are eligible for importation provided the raw materials originate from a certified establishment (Eligible Foreign Establishments – China (usda.gov)).  No meat products from China are eligible to be imported into the United States.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for an undetermined amount of imported meat and poultry products from China. A recall was not requested because FSIS has been unable to identify and contact the importers. The total amount of ineligible product is undetermined because the investigation is ongoing.

The products subject to the public health alert and labels are listed here: View Labels

The meat and poultry products do not identify an eligible establishment number on their packaging and were not presented to FSIS for import reinspection. These products are ineligible to import into the U.S., making them unfit for human consumption.

The problem was identified through an investigation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). FSIS will continue working with CBP and APHIS on the ongoing investigation.

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. USDA cannot confirm whether the products were properly heated to control pathogens that affect domestic livestock.

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.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.