risks, benefits, and challenges in the u.s. seafood industry barbara blakistone, ph.d. national...
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Risks, Benefits, and Challenges in the U.S. Seafood
Industry
Barbara Blakistone, Ph.D.National Fisheries Institute
November 8 , 2007Seafood Science & Technology
Punta Cana, República Dominicana
Agenda/Learning ObjectivesWho is National Fisheries
(NFI)?Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
BureauUse of Unapproved AntibioticsCapitol HillHealth Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
Agenda/Learning ObjectivesWho is National Fisheries
(NFI)?Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
BureauUse of Unapproved AntibioticsCapitol HillHealth Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
Who is NFI?
The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) is the nation’s leading advocacy organization for the seafood industry.
NFI’s members represent every element of the industry from the fishing vessels at sea to the national seafood restaurant chains.
NFI and its members support and promote sound public policy based on peer-reviewed science.
Agenda/Learning ObjectivesWho is National Fisheries
(NFI)?Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
BureauUse of Unapproved AntibioticsCapitol HillHealth Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
http://nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL34124.pdf
RL34124, August 8, 2007
Fraud and Deception
Mislabeling or Substituting SpeciesLow Weights or UndercountingTrans-shipments to Avoid Duties
Seafood Substitution
Economic Deception or Fraud -- occurs when a less expensive species is substituted for a more expensive-species.
For example, the substitution of less expensive rockfish (Sebastes spp.) for more expensive red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in interstate commerce constitutes fraud and is prohibited under the Misbranding Section of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act Section 403: MISBRANDED FOOD.
Section 403(b) - Misbranded food: A food shall be deemed to be misbranded if it is offered for sale under the name of another food.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/econ.html
What does FDA say?
Commonly Substituted Seafood
SpeciesRed SnapperMahi MahiSwordfishOrange RoughyGrouperWild-caught salmon
SubstitutionRockfishYellowtailMako SharkOreo or John DoryBasa or TraFarm-raised salmon
Source: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/econ.html
Low Weights or Undercounting
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
Labels must contain accurate information to identify the product, manufacturer, packer or distributor and the net quantity of contents, in terms of weight or mass, measure, or numerical count.
Common OffersBlack Tiger HLSO
6x4 lbs, Block Frozen
100% NW/NC
98% NW/NC
95% NW/NC
Trans-shipment of Products
Shipping products to another country en route to the U.S.
Illegal if done to avoid (circumvent) duties or other trade restriction.
Economic Integrity Initiative
In 2006, NFI Board approved an Economic Integrity Initiative.
Goal to increase consumer confidence in seafood products.
“Following the rules” often results in lost business.
Develop a process for accountability.
Better Seafood Bureau
A corporate entity separate from National Fisheries Institute
Separate Board of Managers16 members representing
NFI Board NFI membershipPublic
Launched July 2007
BSB Process
Similar to Better Business Bureausystem to report unresolved challenges
Call-center established to document unresolved situations of economic fraud.
1-866-959-4BSB
Steps after a ComplaintNFI member will be notified after each
logged complaint.Given “3 strikes”After third complaint must submit to a
third-party auditdetermine if the member is adhering to their
pledge.
Member will be dismissed from NFI if not meeting commitment.
Where We Want to Be
Goal is to highlight NFI members as
committed to the highest ethical standards.
Agenda/Learning ObjectivesWho is National Fisheries
(NFI)?Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
BureauUse of Unapproved AntibioticsCapitol HillHealth Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
In the News: Unapproved Drugs
FDA issues an import alert on unapproved drugs in aquacultured seafood products
FDA issues Import Alert 16-131 on June 28, 2007; revised on July 10
Residue Statistics on Chinese Seafood(as of April 30)
10.5% (18/172) of all samples tested from China are positive for chemotherapeutics.
18 /22 violatives are from China.4/22 are from Indonesia, Vietnam,
Mexico.
Comparative Residue Statistics on Seafood
In Fiscal Year 04, China had 21.6% of all violatives versus 10.5 % in FY 07.
In FY 04 Vietnam had 32.4% of all violatives versus 9.1% in FY 07.
Current Effects of 16-131 on the Seafood Industry
Only one supplier on the 16-131 Exemption list: Goulian Aquatic Productstesting costscommerce
What it takes to get on the Exemption list
Import Alert 16-131
How to get released from DWPE:
1. 5 consecutive clean shipments
2. Documentation from third party auditor (e.g., AQSIQ) certifying compliance with HACCP
3. Documentation on compliance with Chinese government requirements
Agenda/Learning ObjectivesWho is National Fisheries
(NFI)?Case for the Better Seafood
BureauUse of Unapproved AntibioticsCapitol HillHealth Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
Action on Capitol Hill
House Energy and Commerce Certification program for U.S. importersCertificate from FDAEmployee(s) trained in U.S.
customs, HACCPRecall plan on file
Action on Capitol Hill
House Energy and Commerce Certification program for exportersFacility complies with country’s food
safety standardsCountry has a program to enforce
food safety standardsFDA to monitor exporting country’s
program
The Seafood Industry Favors
Requiring FDA to certify importers
Requiring foreign countries to certify exporters
Strengthening FDA with more resources
The Seafood Industry Favors
Developing common standards among countries
Requiring FDA to certify labs
Enabling third party testing of food imports
Agenda/Learning ObjectivesWho is National Fisheries
(NFI)?Case for the Better Seafood
BureauUse of Unapproved AntibioticsCapitol HillHealth Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
Benefits of Seafood ConsumptionEating fish 2X/week can reduce the
risk of dying from a heart attack by 36 % and risk of stroke.
Eating more than four 3 oz servings of seafood per week during pregnancy provides significant neurological benefits to the fetus, neonate, and children.
Benefits of Seafood ConsumptionA recent study published in The Lancet
journal found that children of mothers who ate more than 12 ounces — about three or four meals — of fish during pregnancy have stronger motor, communication and social skills than children of mothers who ate little or no seafood.
Seafood BenefitsMaternal Nutrition Group Finds Eating
Fish Vitally Important For Pregnant Women and Their Unborn Babies
Advisory: Eat a minimum of 12 oz of Fish Per Week Recommended for Optimum Fetal Brain Development.
Consumer Concerns
USDA AdvisoryMyPyramid for Moms
Mercury in Fish. One of these chemicals is mercury, and some types of fish have high levels of mercury. The mercury can harm the developing nervous system in an unborn child or young baby.
Other Chemicals in Fish. In addition to mercury, fish may contain other harmful chemicals, especially fish caught in local waters.
Benefits vs Risks“The current challenge is to
determine whether it is feasible to shift to a new paradigm for methylmercury based on assessments of risk that are adequately protective without being unduly precautionary . . . “
International Association of Fish Inspectors
What To Do?
Like frogs, the food industry can eat what bugs them.