Risks, Benefits, and Challenges in the U.S. Seafood Industry Barbara Blakistone, Ph.D. National Fisheries Institute November 8, 2007 Seafood Science &

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.