Seafood Processors Receive Warning Letters from the FDA

EMSL’s laboratory provides histamine and other testing services to identify dangerous seafood that could threaten the nation’s food supply.

Cinnaminson, NJ

Last month a seafood processor in the Unites States, and another in Taiwan, received warning letters from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding adulterated seafood due to unsanitary conditions at their food processing plants. Violations of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations were the reason behind the warning letters.

Americans consumed almost 5 billion pounds of seafood in the United States in 2007 and the country imports approximately 84% of the seafood. Close to half of the imported seafood is farmed and not caught in the wild.

Regardless of its origin, or where it is processed, if HACCP procedures are not in place, then anyone who eats the seafood could be at risk of becoming ill. Histamine testing is one option for seafood processors in their HACCP testing program to help ensure the food is safe for consumption. Histamine in seafood is caused by decomposition due to the growth of certain types of bacteria.

EMSL Analytical, a leading food and consumer products testing laboratory, has been on the forefront of offering food testing services to prevent food-borne illnesses and help food processors in their HACCP programs. The laboratory offers histamine testing services which helps prevent scombroid poisoning from unsafe seafood.

“Histamine testing is clear option for seafood processors to help ensure their product is safe for consumers,” stated Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President for EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Quality control measures can help prevent scombrotoxic fish from entering the food supply and the testing procedures offered by EMSL Analytical are an important step in keeping the public safe from adulterated and dangerous seafood products.”

To learn more about histamine testing or other food safety and pathogen testing services contact EMSL Analytical at (800) 220-3675, visit www.FoodTestingLab.com and www.EMSL.com, or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality food, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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