USAID funded training for Aquavit personnel in HACCP and helped them develop a HACCP plan to address food-safety and quality-control issues. The plan underwent a technical audit conducted by a Louisiana State University AgCenter seafood specialist who found that costly microbiological testing along the entire food processing line did not allow Aquavit to address food quality issues, and at times, the company marketed food that was unsafe.

Aquavit implemented the HAACP audit results by reconstructing and expanding their facility. The plant was equipped with modern fish-processing equipment and a second production line was added that doubled Aquavit’s capacity. The plant was reconstructed according to HACCP requirements. Special attention was paid to improving product and process record-keeping, putting in tile floors and walls in place of concrete, and increasing the number of daily floor and wall washes.