AVOIDING RESIDUES IN U.S. FARM-RAISED CHANNEL CATFISH Ictalurus punctatus

 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.

There are two main pathways for farm-raised channel catfish to become exposed to pesticides and veterinary drugs. Fish can ingest these products through feed or forage fish. A second route of exposure is through absorption (primarily through the gills) from pond water or water used during transport.

Farmers should only apply pesticides that are labeled for aquatic use by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The primary aquatic use pesticides approved by EPA are aquatic herbicides and algicides. Applicators should read and follow all label instructions, paying close attention to the volume of water being treated and the amount of chemical being applied. It is also vital that the target species being controlled is accurately identified. There are also three EPA registered pesticides (potassium permanganate, copper sulfate, and hydrated lime) that are used to address water quality issues.

FDA approved drugs and drugs of low regulatory priority are used in hatcheries and in production ponds. In the hatchery, these products are used to disinfect eggs or used to promote spawning. The three FDA approved antibiotics require a veterinary feed directive which specifies dosage and withdrawal times. Formalin is used to treat external parasites. Salt is registered as an osmoregulatory enhancer. FDA drugs of low regulatory priority for hauling fish include chlorides and ice.

Farmers are urged to use the following practices to avoid residues in channel catfish:

1. Use only EPA and FDA approved pesticides and veterinary drugs.

2. Do not use forage fish that have been treated with chemicals not approved for foodfish.

3. Do not exceed label rates of approved products.

4. Avoid selling fish before withdrawal times are met.