Seventy percent of the world's catch of fish and fishery products is consumed as food. Fish and shellfish products represent 15.6 percent of animal protein supply and 5.6 percent of total protein supply on a worldwide basis. Developing countries account for almost 50 percent of global fish exports. Seafood-borne disease or illness outbreaks affect consumers both physically and financially, and create regulatory problems for both importing and exporting countries. Seafood safety as a commodity cannot be purchased in the marketplace and government intervenes to regulate the safety and quality of seafood. Theoretical issues and data limitations create problems in estimating what consumers will pay for seafood safety and quality. The costs and benefits of seafood safety must be considered at all levels, including the fishers, fish farmers, input suppliers to fishing, processing and trade, seafood processors, seafood distributors, consumers and government. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programmes are being implemented on a worldwide basis for seafood. Studies have been completed to estimate the cost of HACCP in various shrimp, fish and shellfish plants in the United States, and are underway for some seafood plants in the United Kingdom, Canada and Africa. Major developments within the last two decades have created a set of complex trading situations for seafood. Current events indicate that seafood safety and quality can be used as non-tariff barriers to free trade. Research priorities necessary to estimate the economic value and impacts of achieving safer seafood are outlined at the consumer, seafood production and processing, trade and government levels. An extensive list of references on the economics of seafood safety and quality is presented.

Can Americans continue to add more seafood to their diets without fear of illness or even death? Seafood-caused health problems are not widespread, but consumers are at risk from seafood-borne microbes and toxinsâ€"with consequences that can range from mild enteritis to fatal illness. At a time when legislators and consumer groups are seeking a sound regulatory approach, Seafood Safety presents a comprehensive set of practical recommendations for ensuring the safety of the seafood supply. This volume presents the first-ever overview of the field, covering seafood consumption patterns, where and how seafood contamination occurs, and the effectiveness of regulation. A wealth of technical information is presented on the sources of contaminationâ€"microbes, natural toxins, and chemical pollutantsâ€"and their effects on human health. The volume evaluates methods used for risk assessment and inspection sampling.

Abstract: This hearing examines the safety of imported seafood and whether U.S. fish inspection programs are adequate. Concern is expressed that a large amount of seafood is consumed in the U.S. without having been inspected. Several federal government officials, a state official from Massachusetts, a consumer advocate, and a fishing industry representative present testimony.

Although seafood consumption can contribute to a healthy diet, some fish and shellfish can cause foodborne illnesses or contain environmental contaminants. This report discusses whether current food safety programs are sufficiently protecting consumers, and if not, what changes should be considered.

Abstract: This GAO report gathers information on the nature, extent, and seriousness of seafood safety problems; identifies the governmental activities that address the issue; and collects expert views on the need for changes, such as the need for a mandatory seafood inspection system or other changes in existing programs. The report concluded that about 5 percent of all food-borne illness cases were seafood related and that, although the seafood industry is not subject to 100 percent product inspection by the federal government, many experts said that seafood safety problems do not reflect the need for major changes in federal programs.

Seafood Safety and Quality continues to be a major public health issue and its importance has escalated to unprecedented levels in recent years. In this book, major seafood borne diseases and key safety issues are reviewed. In addition, emerging microbial agents, fish toxins and other contaminants including heavy metal; allergy, water safety and related topics are discussed. It also addresses the challenges faced by both developed and developing countries to ensure seafood safety in new seafood products and processing technologies, seafood trade, safety of foods derived from biotechnology, microbiological risks, emergence of new and antibioticresistant pathogens, particularly from emerging pathogens, directing research to areas of high-risk, focus intervention and establishment of target risk levels and target diseases or pathogens. The book serves as a comprehensive resource on the seafood borne diseases and a wide variety of responsible etiologic agents, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, seafood toxins, and environmental toxins. It has been written in a simple manner and should promote the efforts of the scientific community to deliver safe seafood for a better health and environment.