Life on a Fish Farm: Food Safety a Priority : Part 3

by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

(Page 3 of 3)

Once the fish reach the processing plant, the responsibility for quality control shifts to the processor, who must comply with FDA's good manufacturing practice regulations and the provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. FDA inspectors routinely visit the plant to assess its compliance with quality control guidelines to guarantee fish quality from processing to packing and storage. If the plant does not comply with these requirements, FDA takes appropriate regulatory action.

Spokespersons for the catfish industry say they consider quality a number one priority. "Consumers should know we are offering a product grown in a safe and controlled environment that is routinely monitored," says Hugh Warren, executive vice president of the Catfish Farmers of America, a trade association. "Our [current] major thrust is to create a sense of understanding that [with farm-grown catfish] they are getting a federally inspected product."

For 90 percent of catfish processors, federal inspection occurs daily. Major commercial catfish processors have voluntarily entered into a contract with the National Marine Fisheries Service — a part of NOAA — to have their products inspected. The catfish processors pay for this daily inspection service. NOAA inspectors issue certificates of quality and conditions of the catfish products. Products that pass inspection can display the seal, "Packed Under Federal Inspection," on the label or carton.

With some modification in the breeding requirements of each species, similar methods are used to produce a host of other fin fish and shellfish, with federal and state authorities similarly involved in making sure they're safe to eat. As aquaculture becomes more sophisticated, so do the monitoring tools of government regulators. Their goals, however, remain the same: to keep up with the industry, provide assistance where they can, and enhance the safety of all seafood, including the products of aquaculture.

A World Phenomenon

Aquaculture worldwide is sophisticated and growing. From a global perspective, China and Japan are still the world leaders whose combined products exceed an annual value of $12 billion. But, they have been at it a great many years longer than anyone else.

As the fifth leading producer of aquaculture by dollar value, the United States is making great strides.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. economy — increasing more than 15 percent per year since 1980. From modest beginnings, the farm value for U.S.-produced fish and other aquaculture projects has risen in 1991 to $750.2 million and is estimated at 543,770 metric tons, or 11,990,128 pounds.

The boom in fish farming has been brought about by consumer demand for more fish and a lack of natural supplies. Statistics show that virtually every species of fin fish harvested from U.S. marine waters is now fished at levels above its natural capacity to replace itself.

In an age where Americans increasingly search for nutritious but low-fat foods, fish can be an important part of the diet.

According to the National Fisheries Institute, a trade association based in Washington, D.C., Americans now consume 22 percent more fish than they did a decade ago. Analysts believe that the level will continue to increase from the current rate of 15.5 pounds per person to 20 pounds per person by the beginning of the next century.

Aquaculture provides a way to supplement natural stocks and to potentially provide a steady, year-round supply that processors and retailers can depend on.

As one might expect, the products of aquaculture include the ordinary and the exotic, and while not all species are farmed in the United States, our gourmet palates encourage the import of items not fished in our waters.

For example, a specialty food shop may stock such items as salmon raised in Chile or Norway, dried seaweed from Southeast Asia, eel from Taiwan, and oysters from Korea — all farm-raised!

Not to worry. FDA inspects imports before they enter the country, usually at the port of entry. In 1991, FDA conducted 3,541 seafood inspections and another 4,094 wharf inspections of seafood producers and products. Import sample collections numbered 3,033.

In special cases, there are memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with foreign governments that allow FDA to inspect the harvesting areas and processing plants in the country of origin.

FDA currently has active agreements for molluscan shellfish from Korea, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Chile. FDA also has MOUs with Iceland, England and Japan. However, these countries are not exporting to the United States at this time.

Among the 100 or so aquaculture products cultured in the United States are aquatic plants, eels, abalone, lobsters, carp, tilapia, alligator, trout, hybrid striped bass, crabs, and a variety of mollusks. But four species account for 80 percent of the total volume of all domestic aquaculture products: catfish, crayfish, trout, and salmon.

The latest industry statistics list catfish, trout, salmon, shrimp, oysters, and crayfish as the consumers' choice of domestic aquaculture products. In terms of volume, catfish, crayfish and salmon are the industry leaders, while catfish and trout lead in monetary value.

About the Author

www.fda.gov
FDA is A United States government body that oversees medical devices, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eyedrops. In the US, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.