Seafood Scams Underscore Need to Know Your Source

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Seafood Scams Underscore Need to Know Your Source

Most U.S. fish is fine, but three recent seafood scandals highlight the

wisdom of considering your source carefully

by Craig Weatherby

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Three recent cases of seafood fraud and malfeasance bring the warning

buyer beware to mind. Closest to home, the FDA cited a Maryland seafood

processor earlier this week for breaches of federal food-safety laws.

The Congressional Seafood Co. was ordered to stop distributing seafood

after it failed to follow regulations regarding the handling of raw,

ready-to-eat tuna, fresh and vacuum-packed crab meat, frozen octopus and

shrimp, and other shellfish. The second case involved seizure of some

500 tons of bad seafood and shellfish destined for New Year's Eve dinner

parties in Italy. Italys Agriculture Minister said that worms were found

in some of the fish seized between Dec. 10 and 23, while in other cases,

mussels defrosted months earlier were passed off as fresh, and fish

coming from Asia was passed off as domestic. He described the food as

garbage including brine jellyfish, and said that the Mafia or another

organized crime gang was likely responsible. Last, exports of freshwater

shrimp to the European Union (EU) resumed recently after a six-month

suspension following detection of hazardous levels of the antibiotic

drug nitrofuran. Over 50 consignments of lobsters bound for Europe were

also canceled by importing agencies, for similar contamination. This is

why we only purchase from local sources we know personally, visit every

one before buying, and regularly check the quality of our incoming

shipments! Sources

- SeafoodSource.com. FDA cites Md. seafood processor. January 11, 2010.

Accessed at

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=vitalchoiceseafood%2C417167%2Cb1kJkvww%\

2C3729143%2CbgscH9K

- The Associated Press. Mob link eyed as Italy seizes 500 tons of fish.

December 30, 2009. Accessed at

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=vitalchoiceseafood%2C417167%2Cb1kJkvww%\

2C3729144%2CbgscH9K

- The Financial Express. Shrimp export to EU resumes tomorrow. January

10, 2010. Accessed at

http://www.imakenews.com/eletra/go.cfm?z=vitalchoiceseafood%2C417167%2Cb1kJkvww%\

2C3729145%2CbgscH9K