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NFI: FARMED SHRIMP IS SAFE; MEETS SAME HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS AS WILD-CAUGHT SHRIMP
National Fisheries Institute
April 22, 2004 - National Fisheries Institute (NFI)
President John Connelly stated today that the safety of shrimp consumed in the
U.S. -- whether farmed or wild-caught, imported or domestic -- is assured as a
result of joint efforts by the U.S. government and the seafood industry, and
warned that attempts to use safety issues for political advantage could harm
all seafood manufacturers -- domestic and foreign.
NFI is the fish and seafood industry's leading trade association,
representing a range of firms from small family-owned businesses to large
multinational corporations. NFI members include U.S. firms that operate
fishing vessels and aquaculture facilities, buy and sell, process, pack,
import, export and distribute fish and seafood, and operate retail stores and
restaurants.
"From a seafood standpoint, there is no difference in terms of safety
between farmed shrimp and wild-caught shrimp," said Connelly. "Seafood,
whether imported or domestic, wild caught or farm grown, is subject to the
same demanding Food & Drug Administration (FDA) inspection and testing
standards."
The NFI's statement was prompted by recent allegations that imported
shrimp, much of which is harvested using a technique known as aquaculture, is
somehow less safe than wild-caught shrimp.
"The federal government and the seafood industry have a zero tolerance
policy regarding the use of antibiotics. There are no antibiotics approved by
the FDA for use with any farm-raised shrimp. The FDA increased its testing of
all shrimp for chloramphenicol in 2002 and, in 2003, established equivalent
test levels to the European Union. The standard now in use -- testing at 0.3
parts per billion (ppb) -- is among the toughest in the world, able to detect
even the faintest traces of antibiotics," stated Connelly. "In addition, the
FDA's rigorous Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point inspection system
requires processors to identify food safety hazards, maintain control measures
that prevent them, and require all U.S. seafood companies to verify that their
products are produced in accordance with FDA requirements, wherever sourced."
"False statements regarding farm-raised shrimp safety could potentially
damage the entire shrimp industry by undermining consumer confidence in all
shrimp products," added Connelly. "Aquaculture is an important technology
that enables us to help feed the world with delicious, safe, and nutritious
seafood."
NFI is a non-profit trade association representing more than 700 companies
involved in all aspects of the fish and seafood industry. The Institute also
acts to ensure an ample, sustainable and safe seafood supply for consumers.
All NFI releases and related information can be found on NFI's web page at
www.nfi.org
SOURCE National Fisheries Institute
04/22/2004
CONTACT: Linda Candler of the National Fisheries Institute,
703-778-4134
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