REISSUED TO CLARIFY POINTS IN PARAGRAPH 2 AND 3
T97-35 Lawrence Bachorik: (301) 827-6242
July 25, 1997
Consumer Hotline: (800) 532-4440
CATFISH CLEARED FOR PROCESSING AND SHIPPING
FDA today informed catfish growers and processors whose fish
had consumed feed from five feedmills inadvertently contaminated
with dioxin that they may immediately resume processing and
shipping catfish. This action is based on newly available data
on composite catfish samples from three states (Arkansas,
Louisiana and Mississippi) showing that dioxin levels in the
samples are below the level of concern.
FDA believes that the quick and successful resolution of
this issue is due, in large part, to actions it took earlier this
month to stop the shipment and use of contaminated feed. Halting
the use of the contaminated feed, and the rapid growth of pond
raised-catfish at this time of year, contributed significantly to
reducing the levels of dioxin in the catfish that were sampled
and tested and which are now coming to market.
The new data on catfish were gathered under a cooperative
sampling plan developed last week by the Catfish Institute and
the Catfish Farmers of America (industry organizations), several
state authorities, and the FDA. Catfish sampling began July 16.
Samples were collected from catfish farms known to have used
catfish feed from S. F. Services, Greenville, Miss.; Fish Belt
Feeds, Moorhead, Miss.; Arkat Feeds, Dumas, Ark.; Producers Feeds
Co., Belzoni, Miss.; and, Top Water Feed Mills, Wisner, La.
In announcing the resumption of catfish processing, FDA
officials emphasized that consumers may continue to eat catfish
with full confidence and expressed their appreciation for the
close cooperation among catfish growers and processors and the
several state agencies involved in this sampling and testing
program.
FDA is reminding catfish growers that any catfish feed
contaminated with dioxin should not be used. In addition, FDA is
recommending that catfish growers and processors keep records
concerning the feed sources and shipments of catfish.
The catfish sampling and testing program began after a
national survey found elevated levels of dioxin in poultry and
catfish samples. The dioxin source was found to be "ball clay"
added to soybean meal to prevent caking. The soybean meal had
been used in some feed for catfish and chicken. The ball clay
was traced to a single clay mine in Mississippi, which, at the
request of the FDA, has stopped shipping clay for feed use.
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This is a mirror of the page at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/ANS00811.html
Press Release (July 7, 1997) FDA Stops Distribution of Some Eggs and Catfish Because of Dioxin-Contaminated Animal Feed
Talk Paper (July 16, 1997) Revised Sampling and Testing Program for Catfish
Talk Paper (July 3, 1997) FDA Stops Distribution and Use of Some Animal Feed