The draft guidance recommends that primary seafood processors who purchase reef fish such as grouper, amberjack, snapper, lionfish, king mackerel, and barracuda take steps to minimize consumers' risk of CFP from the fish they distribute.
It recommends that primary seafood processors who purchase fish directly from fishermen obtain information about harvest locations to determine the potential for ciguatoxic fish based on knowledge of the regions where ciguatera occurs.
Primary seafood processors can minimize the risk of CFP by not purchasing fish that are likely to carry ciguatoxins, said the FDA.
Ciguatoxins risk
“We have analyzed local fish populations in Florida, the US Virgin Islands, and the Flower Garden Banks of the Gulf of Mexico and found unsafe concentrations of ciguatoxin which could cause illnesses if consumed,” said the FDA.
CFP is caused by consuming fish that have eaten toxic marine algae or that have eaten other fish containing the toxins.
The onset of the illness usually occurs within six hours after consumption of toxic fish and generally subsides in several days to a few weeks.
The toxins accumulate in the flesh of reef dwelling fish, with higher CFP levels predominately found in predatory species, which are then harvested either commercially or by recreational fishermen.
Lionfish addition
The guidance complements existing advice on preventing CFP by identifying two species of lionfish as additional reef fish associated with the risk of CFP.
However, as of January 2013, there have been no reports of CFP illnesses associated with the consumption of lionfish, stated the agency.
FDA seafood HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) regulations, require seafood processors to conduct a hazard analysis of the potential food safety hazards that are reasonably likely to occur with the seafood products they process and to have and implement written HACCP plans to control all hazards identified in the hazard analysis.
Failure to meet the requirements of the seafood HACCP regulation will cause products to be adulterated under section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 342(a)(4)).
The agency said it would continue to assess the hazard of CFP and the application of seafood HACCP controls by seafood processors.
Comments on the draft guidance should be received by 28 May.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The US remains Vietnam’s largest single market for shrimp imports, accounting for 20% of Vietnam's total shrimp exports globally. As of October 15th, 2024, Vietnamese shrimp exports to the US reached nearly 600 million dollas, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs, pangasius exports to Canada reached over 1 million USD in the first half of October 2024, a 33% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, by October 15, 2024, total pangasius exports to Canada had reached 32 million USD, reflecting a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Cà Mau is accelerating its digital transformation, developing green industries, and promoting high-tech processing of agricultural and aquatic products, with a focus on sustainable economic growth and environmental protection.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Dong Thap Pangasius Festival 2024, themed 'Dong Thap Pangasius: Green Journey - Green Value', will take place on November 16-17 in Hong Ngu City.
The positive business momentum in the domestic seafood sector could last into the first half of 2025, according to experts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three quarters of 2024, brackish water shrimp production exceeded 1.1 million tons, with export revenue reaching $2.8 billion. The seafood industry has set a target of $4 billion for shrimp exports for the entire year.
While the price of 1 kg of shrimp hovers around 20 USD, the value of 1 kg of chitosan—extracted from shrimp—can soar to 500 USD. This highlights a significant challenge within the seafood processing industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By October, Vietnam's shrimp exports had generated nearly $3 billion, reflecting an increase of over 10% compared to the same period last year. Shrimp remains the leading commodity contributing to the export turnover of the entire seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company (FIMEX VN - HoSE: FMC) concluded Q3/2024 with significant growth in revenue. Specifically, Sao Ta Food recorded revenue of VND 2,845 billion, a 58.6% increase year-on-year. The company's profit after tax reached VND 95 billion, up 6.2%.
VASEP's Seafood Export Report for the third quarter of 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnam's seafood export performance in the first nine months, with impressive results reaching $7.2 billion—an increase of 9% over the same period last year. In the third quarter alone, seafood exports grew by 15%, totaling $2.8 billion. This growth is attributed to a recovery in demand and prices in key markets such as the U.S. and China, as well as the competitive advantage of value-added products in markets like Japan and Australia.
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