Saving Seafood

National Fisheries Institute Statement on FDA’s Proposed Front of Package Nutrition Panel

January 15, 2025 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

We are disappointed that the Food and Drug Administration is proposing still more significant, unnecessary regulation in the waning hours of the Biden Administration.  The proposed front of package labeling is redundant and could deliver an inaccurate message to consumers including healthy seafood in their diets.

By focusing on negative saturated fats, FDA misses the point and misleads label readers. Fish, such as salmon, contain almost entirely unsaturated essential omega-3s, the healthiest fatty acids found in any protein. Meanwhile, the planned labeling provides no way to highlight nutritious components of the product, including for fish, the unsaturated fats associated with brain and heart health.
In the case of seafood, this regulation is essentially pointless and can confuse consumers while adding an unneeded compliance burden to American producers who will need to retool their labels for the massive U.S. market.
The incoming Trump Administration should withdraw the proposal in its entirety.
Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

US FDA responds to the growth of alt-protein with new labeling guidelines

January 14, 2025 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new guidelines for protein analog producers in order to support the fast-growing sector. 

The guidance most pertinent to the alt-protein industry is around how to label plant-based analogs of foods that are traditionally animal-derived, like alt-seafood. The FDA shared a draft guidance document on this topic, allowing citizens to submit comments on the language until 7 May 2025. 

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

FDA refuses entry of processed clams due to high PFAS concentrations

December 20, 2024 — The FDA refused entry of three shipments of canned clams into the U.S. after finding high concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a type of polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS).

According to testing from the FDA, canned clams from Tri-Union/Chicken of the Sea, Crown Prince, and Kawasho Foods’ Geisha brand showed high levels of PFOA. In FDA testing of 12 processed clam samples in September and October, it found the three highest concentrations of PFOA were 6.02 parts per billion (ppb) in the sample of Geisha clams, 6.59 ppb in Crown Prince clams, and 25.2 ppb in Tri-Union/Chicken of the Sea clams.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

FDA, California-based company issue urgent oyster, Manila clam recalls due to potential norovirus contamination

December 17, 2024 — A San Fransisco, California, U.S.A.-based seafood distributor has issued an urgent recall of certain Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi oysters due to multiple confirmed illnesses from norovirus contamination.

The oysters, originally sourced from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based Pacific Northwest Shellfish and Richmond, British Columbia, Canada-based Union Bay Seafood by S&M Shellfish were distributed to retailers and distributors throughout the U.S.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US FDA seeking information on PFAS contaminants in seafood

November 21, 2024 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking the seafood industry, academia, and other relevant parties for more information on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seafood.

“This request is part of our continued work to increase our understanding of the potential for PFAS exposure from seafood and to reduce dietary exposure to PFAS that may pose a health concern,” the FDA said in a recent update.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

MASSACHUSETTS: FDA issues warning on oysters potentially contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni

August 7, 2024 — The Food and Drug Administration is asking businesses to avoid either selling or buying certain oysters from Lewis Bay, Massachusetts, over fears that the seafood could be contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni.

The advisory affects restaurants and retailers in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania who purchased the oysters from July 1 to July 18.

The move comes after the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries closed an oyster site after an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni illnesses associated with consumption of oysters from two lease sites in Lewis Bay.

Two certified dealers, Chatham Shellfish Co. and Island Creek Oysters, recalled the oysters.

Read the full article at FOX 4

US FDA warns retailers, restaurants about contaminated Maine oysters

July 26, 2024 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell, and consumers not to eat, recalled oysters from Recompense Cove in Freeport, Maine, U.S.A., because they may be contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria.

“These oysters have been associated with a Campylobacter illness outbreak in Maine,” the FDA said in a press release.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US FDA issues import alert guidance on PFAS contaminants

March 27, 2024 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not currently detain imported seafood products contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can cause damage to human immune systems.

However, on 19 March, it released a document to guide the industry through a crackdown on PFAS that will likely lead to import alerts and detentions in the near future.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

MASSACHUSETTS: State closes shellfish areas in Buzzards Bay after public health concerns

March 14, 2024 — The state is issuing a shellfish closure in parts of Buzzards Bay in an area, following guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Officials concluded a bigger buffer zone is needed between the outflow from the New Bedford and Fairhaven Wastewater Treatment plant and the area where shellfishermen are growing and harvesting.

Bob Glenn, deputy director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), said as filter feeders, bi-valve shellfish are highly vulnerable to contamination from polluted waters, which can create health issues if consumed.

“Because municipal waste — even treated municipal waste — has a fair amount of E.Coli in it, it basically can lead to a whole host of different gastrointestinal illnesses,” he said.

According to officials, the closure will impact some recreational shellfishermen, the city of New Bedford, which had hoped to open up an aquaculture industry within the Clark’s Cove area, and two quahog harvesters — effective immediately.

Read the full article at CAI