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1995-06-11
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NATIONAL SEAFOOD INSPECTION PROGRAM
NATIONAL SEAFOOD INSPECTION PROGRAM. The U.S. Department of
Commerce (USDC), National Marine Fisheries Service, a part of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, conducts a
voluntary seafood inspection program on a fee-for-service basis.
A HACCP-based service is also available. Services provided by
the program include vessel and plant sanitation, product
inspection and grading, label reviews product specification
reviews, laboratory analyses, training, education and
information. Inspection and certification services are available
nationwide and in U.S. territories for all interested parties.
Consultative services are provided in foreign countries.
Inspection and certification services are also provided for
imported and exported products.
USERS OF INSPECTION SERVICES. The users of the voluntary seafood
inspection service include vessel owners, processors,
distributors, brokers, retailers, food service operators,
exporters, importers, and those who have a financial interest in
buying and selling seafood products. The military requires USDC
inspected products be purchased for its troop feeding program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture also recommends that USDC
inspected products be purchased for its food feeding programs.
The USDC APPROVED LIST OF FISH ESTABLISHMENTS AND PRODUCTS,
published bi-annually, provides a listing of products and
participants who contract with USDC. Currently thirteen states
and four commodity groups of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
maintain agreements with the USDC for the cross-licensing of food
inspectors to assist in the inspection and certification of
fishery products.
USDC INSPECTION MARKS. The official marks authorized for use on
products in the USDC inspection program are found in the Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 50. These marks designate the level
and the type of inspection performed by the federal inspector.
The marks can be used in advertising and labeling under the
guidelines provided by the Inspection Services Division and in
accordance with federal and state regulations regarding
advertising and labeling. Products bearing the USDC official
marks have been certified as being safe, wholesome, and properly
labeled.
"US GRADE A MARK." The U.S. GRADE A mark signifies that a
product has been processed under federal inspection in an
approved facility and meets the established level of quality of
an existing U.S. grade standard. The U.S. Grade A mark indicates
that the product is of high quality, uniform in size, practically
free from blemishes and defects, in excellent condition and
possessing good flavor and odor.
"PACKED UNDER FEDERAL INSPECTION" MARK. The PUFI mark or
statement signifies that the product has been inspected in an
approved facility by a federal inspector and was found to be
safe, wholesome and properly labeled according to approved
specifications or criteria.
LOT INSPECTION MARKS. Products inspected on a lot inspection
basis, whether in an approved facility or in a warehouse, cold
storage facility or dock, by a federal inspector, can bear an
official lot inspection mark. The OFFICIALLY SAMPLED mark
signifies that the products were officially sampled for
wholesomeness, condition and other factors as requested. The
ACCEPTED PER SPECIFICATIONS mark identifies products which were
officially sampled and inspected to conform to approved
specifications or criteria.
USDC HACCP-BASED SERVICE. The USDC HACCP-based service is
available to all interested parties on a fee-for-service basis.
Label approval, record keeping and analytical testing are
program requirements. An industry NMFS certified employee
trained in HACCP principles is also required for each
facility/site in the program. Compliance ratings determine
frequency of official visits. Costs are consistent with current
program rates. Benefits to participants include increased
controls through a more scientific approach, use of established
marks, increased efficiency of federal inspection personnel, and
enhanced consumer confidence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Northeast Inspection Branch
National Marine Fisheries Service
One Blackburn Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
(508) 281-9292 (FAX: 281-9223)
Southeast Inspection Branch
National Marine Fisheries Service
Duval Building
9450 Koger Blvd.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
(813) 893-3155 (FAX: 893-3111)
Western Inspection Branch
National Marine Fisheries Service
5600 Rickenbacker Road
Building No. 7
Bell, CA 90201
(213) 894-5369 (FAX: 894-5398)
National Inspection Laboratory
National Marine Fisheries Service
3209 Frederic St.
P.O. Drawer 1207
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(601) 762-7402 (FAX: 769-9200)
Inspection Services Division
National Marine Fisheries Service
1335 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 713-2355 (FAX: 588-4853)