HELPING THE U.S. FARM-RAISED CATFISH INDUSTRY AVOID RESIDUES IN PROCESSED PRODUCT

Jimmy L. Avery*, Lester Khoo, Mark Peterman, Luke Roy, and Larry Dorman
 
 Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center
 Mississippi State University Extension Service
 Stoneville, MS  38776
 Jimmy.Avery@msstate.edu
 

Inspection of channel catfish processing facilities was transferred from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Full implementation of domestic inspection began September 1, 2016. One component of inspection is testing the muscle of processed fish for pesticide and veterinary drug residues. If residues are found above established tolerance levels, FSIS can recommend that processors recall product that may have entered commerce.

Since inspection began, there have been two recalls of domestically produced channel catfish. In both recall cases, FSIS chose not to initiate an investigation to discover the source of the contamination. Subsequent investigations by industry and Extension personnel could not find a direct link between products containing the chemicals and their use in the production process. It soon became apparent that the best way to prevent further recalls was to train farmers and haulers how to prevent contamination of live fish.

A program development team was formed by Extension Specialists and Associates in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. This team was responsible for training material development and conducting training opportunities in their respective states. Team members were assigned topic areas to develop and all members reviewed and provided input on the final training materials. Initial training opportunities included sessions in the Mississippi Delta, East Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.

Participants were provided information on how fish are exposed to products that may result in a tissue residue, regulatory statutes related to pesticide usage, product selection, following label instructions, record keeping, and avoiding pesticide contamination of ponds. Presenters reviewed label rates, application methods, and use restrictions for the 15 EPA approved aquatic herbicides and algicides. Participants were also presented information on the proper use of FDA approved drugs and FDA low regulatory priority drugs in hatcheries and in ponds. The use of Veterinary Feed Directives and adhering to withdrawal times was also discussed.

Upon completion of the training, participants were tested on the knowledge and issued a Certificate of Completion with a unique identifier. It is hoped that participants could use this training to meet some of the critical control point requirements of the catfish processors.