Questions and Answers About National Pine
Cone Recall
Plant Protection and Quarantine
February 2004
Q. When did the Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS)
issue the national recall on pine cones from India?
A. On December 12, 2003, Plant Protection and Quarantine
(PPQ) issued a national recall on pine cones originating in India.
On December 5, 2003, PPQ issued a limited recall on affected pine
cones from Target retail stores only. PPQ expanded the recall nationwide
based on pest finds in additional retail chains.
Q. Which products are affected by the recall?
A. The recall is specific to pine cones of Indian
origin. The pine cones are being sold either singly or in potpourri.
The UPC numbers or SKU numbers for the affected products can be found
on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/sa_pinecones.html.
Products bearing different UPC codes or SKU numbers currently are
not affected by the recall.
Q. Which retailers are affected by the recall?
A. The recall applies to infested pine cones sold
in Target, Wal–Mart, JoAnn Fabrics, Lowe’s, Dollar Tree,
Frank’s Nursery, and K–mart stores nationwide.
Q. In which States were the infested pine cones found prior to issuance
of the national recall?
A. PPQ intercepted infested pine cones in nine States:
California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, and West Virginia.
Q. Are the intercepted pests currently known to exist in
the United States?
A. PPQ intercepted Chlorophorus strobilicola (Cerambycidae),
a pest native to India. This pest is not known to exist in the United
States. PPQ is planning a nationwide survey for this pest.
Q. What are the risks associated with this pest?
A. Chlorophorus strobilicola is a wood–boring
beetle that feeds on pine cones and lowers seed production.
Q. How did APHIS discover the infested pine cones?
A. An APHIS employee discovered larvae in an infested
pine cone in North Carolina at a Target store.
Q. What steps should consumers take if they previously purchased
affected products?
A. Infested pine cones purchased either singly or
in potpourri (bagged or boxed) should be double bagged, tied securely,
and disposed of in the trash.
Q. What are the symptoms of infestation that store managers
and consumers should look for?
A. Store managers and consumers concerned about
possible infestation should check for exit holes in the cone, a sawdust–like
material called frass or egg sacs in the crevices between the scales
of the pine cones.
Q. How will the recalled items be handled?
A. The recalled pine cones will be incinerated or
placed in a landfill. APHIS supervised treatment (i.e., fumigation
with methyl bromide), may be an alternative depending on the packaging
and state of the product.
Q. What steps are being taken by APHIS to prevent the introduction
of these pests on newly imported products?
A. In addition to the national recall on infested
pine cones, APHIS is requiring mandatory fumigation for all pine cones
from India entering U.S. ports of entry. Products packaged in impermeable
wrappers will be refused entry unless they are removed from the packaging
to allow effective treatment.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office
of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice
and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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