January 24, 2007

FDA outlines catfish species allowed into the US
 

On January 11, 2007, the US FDA has posted  an import alert on misbranded catfish on its website warning processors that only catfish from the Ictaluridae family can be labeled as such.
 

The revised guidance is based on information that several countries are farming Ictaluridae species and exporting them to the US. 

The FDA also provided a list of catfish species in the Ictaluridae family.

They are: Ictalurus spp, Ameiurus spp, Pylodictis spp. Trogloglanis spp., Satan spp., Noturus spp and             Prietella spp.

In the past, several non-Ictalurid fish species have been labeled using the term "catfish" as part of their common or market name, the FDA said. The non-Ictalurid fish that have been or were to be listed in the Seafood List as having common or usual names containing the term catfish and are affected by the new law were listed in the website.

Ictaluridae species are indigenous to North America.  However, several  countries are aquaculturing Ictaluridae species and importing them into the US. To assist in preventing refusal of admission of properly labeled, imported aquaculture-catfish, an importer/shipper may provide to FDA with each shipment, details of the aquaculture farm and include documents such as proof of original purchase of the eggs from North America and documentation that the catfish are from eggs that are a species within the Ictaluridae Family. Importers could also have an accredited laboratory identify the fish. Also, a letter from the country's competent authority confirming that the shipment is Ictaluridae catfish could be included.

Without any documentation supporting the identity of the species, the shipment may be subject to detention without physical examination, the FDA said.