The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert regarding various meat and poultry products illegally imported from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Myanmar is not eligible to export meat and poultry products to the United States.
Background
FSIS discovered the issue during routine surveillance activities at a retailer, where they found meat and poultry products from Myanmar that are not approved for import into the U.S.
The agency is investigating how these products entered the country.
Distribution
The affected products were distributed to retail outlets in Arizona, California, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Product Details
| Product Name | Size | Packaging |
| Best Beef Curry | 180 g | Cans |
| Best Chicken Biryani | 425 g | |
| Hti Mi Gwik Dry MoHinGa Paste | 360 g | |
| Best Myanmar Duck Blood | 425 g | |
| Eain Chak MoHinGa Paste | 400 g | |
| Eain Chak Coconut Soup Paste | 400 g | |
| Min Thar Gyi Dried Fish | 160 g | Vaccum sealed clear package |
The affected products do not bear an establishment number nor a USDA mark of inspection.
Consumer Action
FSIS is concerned that some of these items may still be in consumers’ pantries or on retailers’ shelves.
Consumers who have bought these items are urged not to consume them and should either discard the products or return them to the place of purchase.
FSIS advises retailers who have purchased these products not to sell them
Consumers with additional questions or concerns can contact Leo Chen, Managing Member by phone at 480-399-6811 or by email at [email protected].
Health Risks
As of the announcement, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. However, consumers who have been exposed to the recalled items, and are feeling ill, should contact a medical provider.
The USDA mark of inspection is important because it assures consumers that a particular product is safe and accurately labeled and packaged. The inspection stamp on the label indicates that the product has been inspected and is safe to eat. The number on the stamp identifies the plant where the product was produced.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “There is a risk that food imported from other countries without the benefit of USDA inspection could have been produced under unsafe conditions. Although this is not an official recall notice I recommend that any consumer with the affected products throw them out or return them to the store.”
