FDA has recently begun applying Import Alert 99-30 to breaded seafood from China. That import alert relates to melamine in dairy products and foods with dairy-based ingredients. This is an unprecedented action. FDA has previously only applied Import Alert 99-30 to products such as baked goods, candy, chocolates, and beverages. There are no seafood product codes even listed on Import Alert 99-30. This FDA policy change will have a dramatic effect on Chinese seafood exporters. It expands the impact of FDA’s Import Alerts to more than just the five species covered by Import Alert 16-131 and to more than just aquaculture seafood. If FDA maintains this position it will sweep in all breaded and other value-added seafood that may contain dairy ingredients. FDAImports.com is challenging FDA over this issue.
At the Boston Seafood Show 2014, FDAImports.com Founder and CEO Benjamin England will be addressing this issue and the future FDA challenges the seafood industry will face. Mr. England will be part of a panel entitled “Seafood Safety and Compliance with NOAA Fisheries, FDA, and U.S. Customs,” along with Timothy Hansen of NOAA and Domenic Veneziano of FDA, among others. Mr. England’s presentation on Monday, March 17, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, will cover FDA’s implementation of FSMA and how it will affect the seafood industry in the areas of facility inspections, importer compliance, and foreign supplier verification. He will also provide an update on recent legal actions against FDA.
The FDAImports.com team at the Show – Mr. England, Partner Rick Quinn, and Regulatory Specialist Shelly Li of our China office – is looking forward to another great show, with opportunities to meet with many in the seafood industry and discuss these recent changes. If you would like to meet with us at the Boston Seafood Show, email us at contact@fdaimports.com to make arrangements. As usual, contact us to learn more about seafood importing, the industry changes, and how we can help your business succeed.
And remember to ask us about Import Alert 99-30 when you see us at the Show.
