CPG Sec 525.225 - Whole Cassia or Whole Cinnamon, Ground Cinnamon - Adulteration by Insect and Rodent Filth; Mold; Mammalian Excreta

Administrative guidance, not enacted legislation. This captured publisher edition preserves the listed document and attachments; later developments are not independently consolidated.

CPG Sec. 525.225 - Whole Cassia or Whole
Cinnamon, Ground Cinnamon - Adulteration by
Insect and Rodent Filth; Mold; Mammalian
Excreta
REGULATORY ACTION GUIDANCE:
1. 	The following represents criteria for direct reference seizure *requests to the Office of
Human and Animal Food Operations (OHAFO) in consultation with the Office of
Enforcement and Import Operations (OEIO) and CFSAN, and for direct citation by the
appropriate Field Office within the Human and Animal Food Program*:
Whole Cassia and Cinnamon Bark:
a. 	Insect Filth:
The cassia or cinnamon bark averages 5% or more insect infested pieces by
weight;
or
b. 	Mold:
The cassia or cinnamon bark averages 5% or more moldy pieces by weight;
or
c. 	Mammalian Excreta:
The cassia or cinnamon bark contains an average of 1 milligram or more of
mammalian excreta per pound (mammalian excreta should be identified as to
source when possible).
2. 	The following represents criteria for recommending legal action to CFSAN/Office of
*Compliance*/Division of Enforcement (HFS-605):
Ground Cinnamon:
a. 	Insect Filth:
The cinnamon powder contains an average of 400 or more insect fragments per 50
grams.
or

b. 	Rodent Filth:
The cinnamon powder contains an average of 11 or more rodent hairs per 50
grams.
NOTE: Determination for all defects are made on a minimum of six (6) subsamples: 50-gram
subsamples for the ground spice and 100-gram subsamples for the whole spice.
REMARKS:
Since the majority of spices are imported, determine that the lot in question has not been
previously examined and released by FDA as an import. If the lot has been examined and
released previously, submit all available facts to CFSAN/Office of *Compliance*/Division of
Enforcement (HFS-605) for seizure consideration in the usual manner.
SPECIMEN CHARGE:
Article (whole cassia/whole cinnamon/ground cinnamon) adulterated (when introduced into and
while in interstate commerce) (while held for sale after shipment in interstate commerce), within
meaning of 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(3), in that it consists wholly or in part of a filthy substance by
reason of presence therein of (insects), (insect webbing), (insect excreta), (insect fragments),
(insect damaged whole cassia/whole cinnamon/whole cinnamon/ground cinnamon), and
(mammalian excreta), (rodent hairs); and that it consists in part of a decomposed substance by
reason of presence therein of (moldy, decomposed cassia/cinnamon).
NOTE: Only use direct citation authority when prosecution is anticipated and evidence to
support a prosecution is included with the adulteration charge. Evidence necessary to support a
prosecution is specified in existing regulatory procedures issuances.
*Material between asterisks is new or revised.*
Issued: 10/1/80
Revised: 2/1/86, 3/95, 5/05