SEAFOOD INSPECTION PROCESS BY THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMNISTRATION

As the aquaculture industry continues to expand, concerns regarding the use of unapproved animal drugs and unsafe chemicals, and the misuse of animal drugs during aquaculture production has increased substantially.  Aquaculture producers, particularly in developing countries, may use pesticides, general purpose chemicals or unapproved antibiotics that may cause food safety risks or harmful health risks to humans.  Furthermore, use of antibiotics, such as nitrofurans and chloramphenicol, in animals can contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria that may be transferred to and cause infections in humans, and reducing the effectiveness of these antimicrobial drugs vital for treatment of human disease.  

Ensuring the safety of the food supply continues to be a top priority for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  To determine compliance with FDA laws and regulations, the FDA conducts import field examinations and sample collections of food products before the products may enter the United States.  The goal of the foreign inspection program is to help ensure that foods exported to the United States are safe and meet FDA regulatory requirements.  In addition to supplementing border surveillance and sampling, the program is intended to promote the development of cooperative relationships with foreign regulatory authorities and assist in building confidence in their seafood regulatory programs.