An Import Alert allows FDA to detain, without physical examination, products that either have or potentially could violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ("FDC Act”). Import Alerts lets FDA Field Staff know that the agency has enough evidence or other information to refuse admission of future shipments of an imported article. There are a variety of factors that could lead FDA to place a product, manufacturer, shipper, grower, geographical area, and/or country on Import Alert.