June 30, 2023

 

Global Seafood Alliance: Public comment sought for Seafood Processing Standard Issue 6.0

 

 

The Global Seafood Alliance Seafood Processing Standard (SPS) Issue 6.0 is available for public comment, the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced on June 29.

 

The 60-day public comment period ends on August 27.

 

SPS Issue 6.0 has been restructured to include a core set of requirements for all processing plants, with separate modules to accommodate production processes that may not occur at every processing facility. With this new format, facilities are assessed to all clauses that fall within the core of the SPS, as well as any modules that fall within the scope of the seafood processing production at that facility.

 

"We are excited to present SPS 6.0 to our global partners and stakeholders. Issue 6.0 incorporates innovative features that offer customised third-party certification audits to the individual scope of both aquaculture and wild-caught seafood processing plants," said Chris Weeks, vice president of Program Integrity. "When combined with the Enhanced Social Standard, SPS 6.0 embodies a robust supply chain assurance programme designed for alignment to internationally recognised global food safety and social benchmark initiatives."

 

The proposed new design and implementation of the Seafood Processing Standard will offer the same robust assurances while, at the same time, providing an improved audit process for all stakeholders. Specifically, the revised format is expected to enhance overall audit efficiency for plants under assessment, improve applicability for wild-capture seafood processors, provide clearer clause language with corresponding interpretation guidance and create the most customised, comprehensive certification option available for seafood processing plants globally.

 

The modules include:

 

    - Ready-to-eat products;

 

    - Outsourcing;

 

    - Animal welfare;

 

    - Effluent discharge;

 

    - Product identity;

 

    - Low-acid canned foods;

 

    - Environmental module for remote wild-capture processors;

 

    - Finished product testing;

All comments received during the public comment period are carefully considered for inclusion in the final drafts, GSA said.

 

All properly submitted comments and GSA's response will be public. However, the author will be anonymous.

 

- GSA