U. S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
FDA Prime Connection

FAO - The Fish Inspector Bulletin (3/96)
 
 
             THE FISH INSPECTOR BULLETIN
 
                      Number 33
                     March 1996
 
 
GENERAL
 
 
USA: Mandatory seafood safety regulations announced the long awaited
seafood HACCP regulation were printed in the Federal Register Volume
60 No 7242, Monday 18 December 1995. The new Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) regulations represent a revolution in the way food is
protected. The regulations - based on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control
Point (HACCP) concept - replace the approach adopted in the early 1900s
to address food safety. Under the new procedures food processors will
take greater responsibility for preparing safe fish and fishery products
while government  and industry will work more closely together to protect
public health. The  regulations lead the way towards a more modern 21st
century food safety system which will have an impact on the food industry
in every country.
 
A copy of the 18 December 1995 Federal Register of the Seafood HACCP
Rules may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents or U.S.
Government Bookstores at US$8.00 per copy, inclusive of U.S. regular
domestic postage and handling; customers from overseas should add  25%
for foreign handling. Remit check or money order, made payable to the
Superintendent of Documents. Payment could also be made through GPO
Deposit Account, VISA or Master Card. Mail New Orders to,
Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburg, PA
15250-7954.
 
Source: US Department of Health: Press Release of 5 Dec 1995 and
Owner-seafood Network, e-mail circular messages of 18 Dec 1995 and 17
Jan 1996.
 
International Conference on fish inspection & quality control
 
Discount registration fees are available through 19 April for the
International Conference on Fish  Inspection and Quality Control to be
held from 19-24 May 1996 in Arlington, Virginia. The conference will be
hosted by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), along with the Food  and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS), the Canadian Department of Fisheries and
Oceans (DFO) and the Fisheries Council of Canada.
 
The Conference will provide opportunities for the participants to: (1) meet
key inspection officials and  industry and quality control experts from
around the world; (2) learn the latest about new quality control systems,
HACCP applications in handling and processing; implementation in U.S.,
European Union (EU), Canada and other countries HACCP-based
programmes, equivalency and inspection agreements, automated computer
systems and training; make recommendations that may influence
government policies; for the private sector, to exhibit their firm's quality
control products or services.
 
For further information fax (U.S.A.) NFI (703) 524- 4619, or U.S.
Seafood Import News (703) 560-0819.
 
Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products
 
The 22nd Session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products
(CCFFP) will be held in Bergen, Norway from 6-10 May 1996. The
agenda of the meeting includes the revision of Codes of Practice for
Frozen Fish, Minced Fish, Fresh Fish,  Molluscan Shellfish, Frozen
Shrimps and Prawns, Salted Fish and Smoked Fish. The Proposed Draft
Codes of Hygiene Practice for (1) Products of Aquaculture and (2) Frozen
Surimi, and the Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Sensory
Evaluation of Fish and Shellfish will be also presented to the Committee.
Developing countries involved in the international trade of fish and fishery
products are particularly invited to send official  representatives to the
meeting to participate in discussions and contribute  to the documents.
 
More information on the meeting may be obtained from dr. J. A. Race,
Chairman, Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products, Norwegian
Food Control Authority, P.O. Box 818720 Dep, 0034 Oslo, Norway, Fax:
(47-22) 579901.
 
Codex Committee on Food Hygiene: Results of December meeting
 
The 28th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene was held in
Washington, D.C., USA from 27 Nov-1 Dec 1996. The main results of
the meeting were the following:
 
     --   Completed the revision of the Recommended International
          Code of Food Hygiene: General Principles of Food Hygiene
          and submitted the draft to the Codex Alimentarius
          Commission (CAC) for final adoption.
 
     --   Submitted a draft revision of the Codex Guidelines for the
          application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
          (HACCP) System to the Executive Committee of  the CAC
          for further consideration.
 
     --   Requested that recommendations on the control of Listeria
          monocytogenes in foods be extended to cover other
          pathogens in foods including Salmonella, Campylobacter
          and Haemorrhagic Escherichia coli.
 
     --   Requested papers to be submitted to its next session on the
          following subjects:
 
          (1)  Risk assessment and risk management in food
               hygiene.
 
          (2)  Implications of broader application of HACCP.
 
          (3)  Guidelines for the education of consumers in food
               hygiene.
 
International Seminar on Food Borne Parasitic Zoonoses
 
The SEAMEO-TROPMED 2nd Seminar on Food Borne Parasitic
Zoonoses: Current Problems,  Epidemiology, Food Safety and Control
was carried out in Khon Kaen, Thailand from 6-9 Dec 1995. The event
was attended by more than two hundred participants from Asia, Oceania,
Europe and North-America.
 
Approximately 120 papers and posters were presented covering the
seminar sessions on country reports, fish borne parasites, food and water
borne parasitic zoonoses, opisthorchiasis, immunodiagnosis, food borne
parasitic infections and carcinoma, recent advances in diagnosis,
epidemiology, cellular and molecular biology, manifestation and
pathogenesis, vaccines, epizootics, technology transfer, fish safety and fish
inspection, as well as prevention and control.
 
The meeting was organized by SEAMEO-TROPMED in collaboration
with a number of other national,  regional and international institutions.
FAO collaborated in the organization and funded the participation of eight
experts from the region within the new TCDC (Technical Cooperation
between Developing Countries) framework.
 
Particular attention was given to the presentation and discussion of the
preliminary results of the studies carried out in Chiang Mai area by five
Thai institutions (with FAO support) concerning the possible use of the
HACCP system for the prevention and control of opisthorchiasis in culture
carp (Punctius gonionotus).
 
As a follow-up of the session on fish, fish safety and fish inspection, a
multidisciplinary group of  participants (including the group of TCDC
experts) met for almost two hours to discuss the results of the session and
to present a series of recommendations at the closing plenary session.
Among others, the following recommendations were made:
 
     --   development of modern and rapid detection methods for the
          determination and identification of  parasites in fish,
          particularly metacercariae;
 
     --   national surveys in endemic areas most likely affected by
          fish borne parasitic zoonoses to identify, the species of
          commonly farmed fish that are most likely to harbour  fish
          parasites pathogenic to humans and/or animals. The surveys
          should also illustrate the prevalence of different fish borne
          parasites in aquaculture fish and wild fish populations;
 
     --   Thailand and other endemic countries in the Far East to
          apply HACCP principles to control and prevent fish borne
          parasites in aquaculture;
 
     --   examine resistance of parasites to different food
          preservation methods (cooking, freezing, salting, smoking,
          fermenting, etc.);
 
     --   in the case of endemic countries, high priority should be
          given by national aquaculture and fish inspection services to
          the prevention and control of fish borne parasites.
 
The 2nd SEAMEO/TROPMED Seminar was a successful and fruitful
event. Its main objective of  bringing together a multi-disciplinary group
of persons discuss the serious problem of foodborne parasites was fully
achieved. In fact, in the field of  the prevention and control of fish borne
parasites the meeting constitutes the first initiative in this direction. It is
expected to have a positive impact worldwide, contributing to a better
awareness of the problem for those involved in fisheries, aquaculture and
food control.
 
AFRICAN NEWS
 
SADC seeks Icelandic know how The Southern African Development
Community (SADC), an alliance of eleven nations from the region,  has
asked for Icelandic assistance in establishing a common head office to
direct its seafood quality control programmes. The suggestion was made
during Prime Minister David Oddson's official visit to Namibia recently,
when SADC officials expressed an interest in utilizing Icelandic fisheries
expertise in the planned project. Iceland's International Development Age
ncy  (ICEIDA) has already agreed to arrange for an Icelandic specialist to
oversee the initiative.
 
     Source: GLOBEFISH DATABANK February 1996.
 
Eritrea: Fish technology and quality assurance workshops
 
Two national workshops on fish handling, technology and quality
assurance were held at the Fisheries Development Centre in Massawa
from 30 Oct-1 Dec 1995. The workshops were organized by
FAO/DANIDA Project GCP/INT/609/DEN in collaboration with the
Government of Eritrea and UNDP/FAO/ERI/92/001. Twenty-four
participants attended the first workshop (30 Oct-17 Nov 1996), while 26
participants attended the second event (20 Nov-1 Dec 1996).
 
Both workshops were attended by government officers and private sector
(cooperatives, retail shops) who had limited knowledge and understanding
of fish/food handling. The practical and comprehensive
demonstrations/discussions provided the participants with basic knowledge
and practical skills in the subject technical matters covered by the events.
 
The team of international lecturers composed of FAO consultants A.F.
Medina Pizzali (Peru) and Tarenkegn Mengistu (Ethiopia) and, FAO
expert Frans Teutscher. In addition to the above, second workshop also
used national lecturers, namely Tsegai Russom and Osman Abdullah
Tewekel. OC
 
ARAB COUNTRIES NEWS
 
Libya: Final report of FAO Project
 
The final report on the fish technology component activities of Projects
LIB/88/009 and GCP/LIB/021/IsDB based on the work of FAO Expert
A.F.Medina Pizzali was published as Libfish Field  Document N=A712
for limited distribution. The report includes a number of activities linked
to quality assurance of fish and fishery products.
 
The report may be obtained from the Marine Biology Research centre,
P.O. Box 30830 Tajura, Libya, Telex: 20523.
 
Morocco: IFS/King Baudouin Award
 
The prestigious International Foundation for Science (IFS) King Baudouin
Award for 1995 was granted  to Dr. Lahsen Ababouch from the "Institute
Agronomique et V:St:Srinaire Hassan  II", Rabat, Morocco for his studies
on the microbiology and biochemistry of the spoilage of the Moroccan
sardine (Sardinella pilchardus).  The award is given by IFS to young
scientists of developing countries as an incentive to develop their own
community, adapted to local needs and to strengthen international
relationship in scientific research.
 
Source: IFS, Greg Turegatan 19, S-114 38 Stockholm, Sweden.
 
ASIAN NEWS
 
India: New regulations for exports of fishery products The Ministry of
Commerce, Government of India, has issued on 21 August 1995 new
"Order and Rules (1995) for the Export of Fresh, Frozen and Processed
Fish and Fishery Products (Quality Control, Inspection and Monitoring)."
The new regulations were prepared taken into consideration the sanitary
requirements of major fish importing countries, particularly the European
Union. They include HACCP-based principles. The particulars of the new
regulations may be obtained from the Export Inspection Agency (EIA),
Ministry of Commerce, "Manohar Building", Ernakulam, Cochin-682011,
India.
 
India: FDA Team visits India
 
A high level FDA team visited processing plants in different areas of the
country and was informed of  actions taken by India to implement
HACCP and ensure compliance with U.S. standards. U.S. imports of
shrimp from India are presently under automatic detention. India's Export
Inspection Agency (EIA) and the Marine Products Export Development
Agency (MPEDA) are exploring with the U.S. FDA methods of removing
this detention.
 
Source: U.S. Seafood Import News, 3(12) December 1995.
 
Japan: Imports of raw oysters authorized
 
On 16 November 1995 officials of the Ministry of Health and Welfare
announced that it had agreed to accept raw oyster sanitation guarantees
from Australia, New Zealand and USA as sufficient to permit Japanese
import of oysters from these 3 countries.  Prior to this announcement
Japan has only permitted the import of  heat-processed oysters.
 
Source: GLOBEFISH DATABANK February 1996.0C
 
Japan: Minamata mercury poisoning compensation
 
On 15 Dec 1995 Japanese Prime Minister Murayama apologized to victims
of the 1950's deadly "Minamata disease", mercury poisoning due to the
ingestion of contaminated fish from Minamata Bay. The Cabinet approved
a final compensation plan for victims who had not previously been
officially recognized. Under this plan, Chisso Corporation will pay the
equivalent of about U$25,700 to each victim, with an additional payment
of about U$49,5 million to five groups representing  victims.
 
Source: GLOBEFISH DATABANK February 1996.
 
Thailand: Danish studies on the bacteriology of farmed shrimp
 
In 1992 and 1993, a seven month study was carried out in a major
shrimp-producing area in Southern Thailand to examine the prevalence of
Vibrio cholera and Salmonella in farmed shrimp. A total of 158 samples
were examined including water, sediment, shrimp, pellet feed, shrimp gut,
and chicken manure.  Salmonella was not recovered from any sample type
studied. V. cholerae 01 was isolated from 2 (2%) and V. cholerae non-01
was isolated from 35 (33%) of 107 samples examined. The occurrence of
V. cholerae was not significantly influenced by water salinity,
temperature, dissolved oxygen or pH. There was no correlation between
faecal coliform counts and the prevalence of V. cholerae.  The results
indicate that V. cholerae non-01 is ubiquitous in aquatic environments
where shrimp culture is practised under a variety of environment
conditions. The public health significance of non-01 V. cholerae in shrimp
culture remains to be determined. V. cholerae 01 and Salmonella do not
appear to constitute a hygienic problem even if chicken manure was used
as fertilizer.
 
Source: "Prevalence of Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella in a major shrimp
production area in Thailand."  by A. Dalsgaard, H.H. Huss, A.
H-Kittikun & J.L. Larsen, International Journal of Food Microbiology 28
(1995):101-113.
 
EUROPEAN NEWS
 
Czech Republic: Training seminars on HACCP
 
A series of seminars on HACCP directed to the public and private sector
organizations linked with the production and marketing of freshwater fish
was organized during February 20, 1996 in the Czech Republic. The
seminars were organized within the framework of project TCP/CHE/4551
"Enhancing fish products quality through better fish processing". HACCP
lectures were provided by FAO expert Mr. C.A. Lima dos Santos.
 
During 13-14 February a seminar was held in Ceske Budejovice,
specifically addressed to the fish industry. This city is the centre of
freshwater fish production in South Bohemia and the Headquarters of the
Fish Farmers Association of the Czech Republic. The event was attended
by 36 persons from mostly from Bohemia. Two shorter seminars were
held in the Ministry of Agriculture in Prague on 12 and 16 February,
mainly addressed to government officers (State Veterinary Administration,
Foreign and Trade Policy, Food Production, Agricultural and Food
Inspection), Industry (National Association of Fish Producers) and the
Academy (University of Chemical Technology, Prague).  Fifteen
participants attended the first meeting while 32 attended the second.
 
It was probably the first time that the private sector (fish farmers, fish
processors, retailers, etc.) had the opportunity to hear about the HACCP
system. Senior officers of the Ministry of Agriculture apparently were
well acquainted with the theory behind the HACCP system and benefited
considerably from the events.A booklet on HACCP by Prof. Z. Matyas,
published in Czech (1993) was used as a reference material.
 
France: HACCP training courses
 
The Institute Pasteur de Lille is organizing short HACCP courses covering
different food items. The courses have a duration of 2 days and each of
them are designed to deal with a specific food product. The training
course dealing with fishery products is scheduled to be held on 9-10
September 1996.
 
Germany: Report of training course on algal toxins
 
The International Oceanographic Commission has published the report of
the first IOC-UNEP-WHO-FAO Training course on Qualitative and
Quantitative Determination of Algal Toxins held in Jena, Germany from
18-24 October 1994. The document contains valuable information on
national regulations, reference material and intercomparison between
European laboratories organized by the Commission of the European
Communities (CEC), phycotoxins in marine organisms and, methods of
qualitative and quantitative determination of algal toxins (DSP. PSP,
ASP).
 
The report may be obtained from Dr. Helle Ravn, IOC, UNESCO. 1 rue
Miollis, 75732 Paris C:Sdex 15,  France, Tel: (33) 1 45 683641, Fax:
(33) 1 40 569316.
 
Netherlands: Protest against boiling live lobsters
 
Police in Rotterdam arrested 6 persons who were protesting against boiling
live lobster. The protest  action took place as part of the so called "lobster
week".
 
 
Source: "De Volkskrant", Monday 26 February 1996.
 
Portugal: International conference - SEAFOOD SAFETY '97 The
University of Porto has announced the international conference - Seafood
Safety'97, scheduled for May 1997. Further details may be obtained from
Dr. Ana Paula Augusto, Department of Nutrition Sciences,  University of
Porto, Porto, Portugal, Fax: (351-2) 550-4143, E-mail: fcn@caleida.pt.
 
Source: Owner-seafood Network, 1 March 1996.
 
LATIN AMERICAN NEWS
 
First regional seminar on fish inspection & QC
 
The International organization INFOPESCA will hold a Regional Seminar
on Fish Inspection and Quality Control in Latin America and the
Caribbean in Montevideo, Uruguay, from 15-19 April 1996. The event
has the support of FAO and that of the Regional Network in Fish
Inspection and Quality Control in Latin America, the only existing
international network in the sector.
 
For further information please contact Dr. Nelson Avdalov, INFOPESCA,
P.O. Box 7086, Montevideo,  Uruguay, tel: (598-2) 928701, Fax: (598-2)
930501, E-mail: uy33434@antel.com.uy.
 
Argentina and Chile working on technical agreement
 
National fish inspection services from Argentina and Chile are discussing
a collaborative agreement aiming at facilitating fish trade between both
countries. The main objective of the agreement will be to assure the safety
of marketed fish and fishery products through mutual recognition of the
technical capacity of national services of both countries.
 
Further details of the above agreement may be obtained from Dr. (Mrs)
Ines Montalva Rodriguez, Head, Dept. Sanidad Pesquera, SERNAP,
Yungay No 1731, 4to Piso, Valparaiso, Chile, Tel: (032) 259564.
 
Mexico: PSP kills six persons
 
During late October/November 1995 toxic shellfish left 6 people dead and
more than 100 ill in Acapulco  and Zihuatenejo. A red tide was first
observed on 18 Oct 1995 and was bla med for the problem. About 2.2
tons  of shellfish have been confiscated to keep potentially dangerous
shellfish off the market.
 
Source: GLOBEFISH DATABANK February 1996.
 
NORTH AMERICAN NEWS
 
USA: FDA/HACCP special requirements for imports
 
The new USFDA HACCP-based regulations include the special
requirements for seafood importers.  Importers must verify that their
overseas suppliers follow HACCP. There are  two ways to verify:
 
     i)   Obtain a product from a country with which the U.S. has a
          HACCP-based agreement the equivalency of inspection
          programmes.
 
     ii)  Implement verification procedures through product
          specifications for safety and taking affirmative steps  to
          ensure that HACCP was actually practised, e.g.:  (a)going
          overseas and checking,  (b)obtaining processor's HACCP
          records,  (c)obtaining processor's HACCP plan and a
          guarantee that it is being followed, and (d)end-product
          testing and guarantee that plan is being followed.