FDA updates on keeping seafood supply safe and healthy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring that the nation’s domestic and imported seafood supply is safe, sanitary, wholesome, and honestly labeled. 

The agency recently provided access to content about seafood, including fish and shellfish, from across the Food section of FDA.gov. 

These links are grouped for target audiences, including access to up-to-date consumer information and advice, guidance documents, regulations, and science and research content.

The Highlights

• New Draft Guidance for Industry: Recommendations for Collecting Representative Samples for Food Testing Used as Evidence for Release of Certain Fish and Fishery Products Subject to Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE) and Removal of a Foreign Manufacturer’s Goods from DWPE February 2024
• This Draft Guidance is intended to provide recommendations for collecting a representative sample for testing when fish and fishery products are subject to detention without physical examination (DWPE) due to the appearance of adulteration caused by pathogens, unlawful animal drugs, scombrotoxin (histamine), and/or decomposition.
• Guidance for Industry: The Seafood List FDA’s Guide to Determine Acceptable Seafood Names August 2023
  The Guidance document has been updated to include language for ease of understanding as well as examples to include the use of “Kanpachi (Ocean-Farmed)” per regulatory requirements.
• FDA Signs Partnership with Ecuador to Enhance Safety of Shrimp Imports 
  On August 24, 2023, the FDA signed the first of its kind Regulatory Partnership Arrangement (RPA) with Ecuador’s seafood regulatory authority to strengthen food safety in shrimp intended for the U.S. market. Shrimp is the most consumed seafood in the United States, the vast majority of which is imported. Ecuador is one of the leading exporters of aquacultured shrimp to the United States.
• Activities for the Safety of Imported Seafood (PDF) March 2023
  This report details how established FDA regulations and innovative programs and technology are employed to help ensure the safety of imported seafood.
• The FDA Moves into Third Phase of Artificial Intelligence Imported Seafood Pilot Program August 2022
• FDA Shares Results on PFAS Testing in Seafood
• Enhancing the Safety of Imported Shrimp Through Regulatory Partnerships A conversation with Steven Bloodgood, Acting Director, Division of Seafood Safety and Fazila Shakir, Staff Director, Regulatory Cooperation and Partnerships.
• Updated Fish and Fishery Products-Hazards and Controls Guidance

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