Customs holds shipment of pork trim from Canada

CEBU, Philippines - A shipment of frozen pork trim from Canada is being held by the Bureau of Customs to check if it is safe from contamination of bacteria that prompted one of the source country’s meat processors to order a recall of products.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Supervisor Rico Rey Francis Holganza in his recommendation that was approved by BOC district collector Ricardo Belmonte directed CIIS agents to witness the examination and stripping of the shipment.

The agents have also been ordered to conduct spot-checking and hold the release or transfer of the said cargo.

CIIS Alert Order no. 007-2009 dated May 7 stated that the said shipment was on board MV Duburg and is consigned to Alfa-All Food Asia Inc. located along Echavez St., Sudlon Maguikay, Mandaue City.

The said shipment was put on hold by BOC in violation of Section 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code as amended in relation to Customs Memorandum Circular no. 71-2009 dated March 16.

CMC 71-2009 issued by Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales informed all the district port officials in the country on the report of deadly outbreak of the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium in Canada.

The said bacterium, according to the Bureau of Food and Drugs can cause listeriosis, a food borne-illness.

Morales stated that the Canadian health officials have ordered a massive recall of ready-to-eat meats from Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Canada’s largest meat processor, which may have been contaminated with the said bacteria.

Quoting the letter of BFAD director Barbara Gutierrez, Morales said that BFAD however has no record of registration of the food products manufactured by MLCF and is asking BOC to assist them in monitoring these products that might be brought into the country.

Arneth Von Manquiquis, CIIS assistant supervisor said that the said shipment was not yet opened as the consignee has not yet filed its import entry.

Meanwhile, another alert order was recommended by the Customs Task Force on Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Chemicals and was approved by Belmonte.

SA1 Jojit Dela Cruz has been directed to witness the 100 percent examination to be conducted by the assigned customs examiner on the shipment containing coating materials.

SA1 Jan Adam Mose, the officer-in-charge of CTGFDDCC, stated in his alert order dated May 8 that the said shipment violates Section 101, paragraph k and Section 2530 of TCCP as amended and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 3 series of 2003 in relation to Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)