Transcript Arctic Char - Food Science & Human Nutrition

Risks, Benefits, and
Challenges in the U.S. Seafood
Industry
Barbara Blakistone, Ph.D.
National Fisheries Institute
November 8 , 2007
Seafood Science & Technology
Punta Cana, República Dominicana
Agenda/Learning Objectives
Who is National Fisheries
(NFI)?
Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
Bureau
Use of Unapproved Antibiotics
Capitol Hill
Health Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
Agenda/Learning Objectives
Who is National Fisheries
(NFI)?
Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
Bureau
Use of Unapproved Antibiotics
Capitol Hill
Health 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 Objectives
Who is National Fisheries
(NFI)?
Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
Bureau
Use of Unapproved Antibiotics
Capitol Hill
Health Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
RL34124, August 8, 2007
http://nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL34124.pdf
Fraud and Deception
Mislabeling or Substituting Species
Low Weights or Undercounting
Trans-shipments to Avoid Duties
Seafood Substitution
What does FDA say?
 Economic Deception or Fraud -- occurs when a less
expensive species is substituted for a more expensivespecies.
 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
Commonly Substituted Seafood
Species
Red Snapper
Mahi Mahi
Swordfish
Orange Roughy
Grouper
Wild-caught salmon
Substitution
Rockfish
Yellowtail
Mako Shark
Oreo or John Dory
Basa or Tra
Farm-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 Offers
Black 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 Managers
16 members representing
NFI Board
NFI membership
Public
Launched July 2007
BSB Process
Similar to Better Business Bureau
system to report unresolved challenges
Call-center established to document
unresolved situations of economic fraud.
1-866-959-4BSB
Steps after a Complaint
NFI member will be notified after each
logged complaint.
Given “3 strikes”
After third complaint must submit to a
third-party audit
determine 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 Objectives
Who is National Fisheries
(NFI)?
Case for NFI’s Better Seafood
Bureau
Use of Unapproved Antibiotics
Capitol Hill
Health 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
Products
testing costs
commerce
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 Objectives
Who is National Fisheries
(NFI)?
Case for the Better Seafood
Bureau
Use of Unapproved Antibiotics
Capitol Hill
Health Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
Action on Capitol Hill
House Energy and Commerce
Certification program for U.S.
importers
Certificate from FDA
Employee(s) trained in U.S.
customs, HACCP
Recall plan on file
Action on Capitol Hill
House Energy and Commerce
Certification program for exporters
Facility complies with country’s food
safety standards
Country has a program to enforce
food safety standards
FDA 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 Objectives
Who is National Fisheries
(NFI)?
Case for the Better Seafood
Bureau
Use of Unapproved Antibiotics
Capitol Hill
Health Benefits, Risks, & the
new USDA Advisory
Benefits of Seafood Consumption
Eating 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 Consumption
A 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 Benefits
Maternal 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 Advisory
MyPyramid 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.