Resolution Year 2004
Resolution Number 1:
Imported Uncertified Shellfish
Whereas, the harvesting, processing and distribution of uncooked shellfish are regulated by the states and five foreign nations, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Korea and New Zealand, under the strict standards of the National Shellfish Sanitation program (NSSP), and
Whereas, shellfish from countries not produced in accordance with the NSSP under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Food and Drug Administration are termed “uncertified” and are prohibited by state laws and regulations from being sold in the states, and
Whereas, imported uncooked shellfish from non-MOU countries present a significant public health and food security risk, and
Whereas, the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) recognizes the contribution of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) to food safety, and
Whereas, the ISSC has recently issued a resolution requesting the Secretary of Health and Human Services formally address this issue, therefore be it
Resolved, that AFDO support the ISSC in its effort to control imported shellfish, and similarly recommend that the Secretary of HHS initiate action to prevent the importation of non-MOU, uncooked shellfish into the United States, and be it further
Resolved, that AFDO encourage and support the FDA and industry efforts to identify safe “cooked” shellfish from non-MOU countries that are not regulated under NSSP, but are frequently imported for further processing. The criteria used for determining “cooked” product should be consistent with AFDO’s 2003 resolution #2, i.e. shellfish that have been sufficiently heat processed to eliminate all aerobic pathogens, and to be prominently labeled as “cooked;‘ and be it even further
Resolved, that AFDO support the ISSC’s requests that the FDA coordinate a meeting of the appropriate parties to discuss state and federal cooperative interventions which may address the import problem.
