August 24, 2010

Malaysian and Venezuelan seafood importers violate HACCP rules

Seafood importers from Malaysia and Venezuela operating process facilities without proper Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans recently received warning letters from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In a July 27 warning letter released last week, Malaysia's GroPoint Fisheries was told that "serious deviations" concerning its HACCP plan means FDA must consider its tuna and Mahi Mahi fish products to be "adulterated."

The seafood importer has HACCP issues to address regarding "receiving at the dock" and "wharf to the processing plant" transport. FDA gives foreign companies 30 business days to respond to warning letters. 

Shrimp imported by Sector Nuevo Palmarejo, based in Venezuela with facilities in Miami, was also found to be "adulterated" in an August 2 warning letter, FDA said there were "serious deviations" in the firm's HACCP plan.

Two other Venezuelan imports received warning letters about problems with cooked crabmeat in Miami.

Del Mar Corporation and Factoria Del Lago, both based in Venezuela, are involved with Kingmar Seafood Corporation, located in Miami.  In an April inspection, FDA found its HACCP plan for cooked crabmeat also had "serious deviations" from the requirements.

FDA wants to be sure that Kingmar is controlling pathogen growth and giving attention to preventing botulism.

"Moreover, we suggest a critical limit associated with measurable residual level of chlorine in the water, to prevent introduction of pathogens; or alternatively that the water undergo an ultraviolet treatment to prevent introduction of pathogens during the cooling, " FDA said in a warning letter to Del Mar.