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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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