Is my seafood safe to eat? This question has been a conversational backdrop long before the Gulf oil spill–As coastal development explodes, international fishing pressures collide and sensationalized stories about mercury gain national attention, people continue to worry about the safety of their seafood. Fortunately for us Americans we have mandatory systems in place managed by both local authorities, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that function solely to ensure the safety of our seafood.
In fear of getting into the regulatory gobbledygook concerning the seafood on our plates, here is the straight forward answer: Yes, it is safe to eat the seafood that is served on your plate. Let’s look at the facts:
FACTS
1. FDA operates a mandatory safety program for all fish and fishery products under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, and related regulations.
2. In Louisiana the first step taken to keep tainted seafood from the market was closing about one-third of federal Gulf waters to commercial fishing – roughly 80,000 square miles.
3.Seafood in general has to meet the most stringent safety regulations of any food industry in the United States. (read more about HAACP and fishery products on the FDA website).
4.The Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries along with federal agencies such as NOAA and FDA and EPA are testing more seafood than ever. To date all the tests are coming back showing that Louisiana seafood is safe to consume
It is hard to speculate a silver lining in the midst of any disaster, however, there certainly are lessons to be learned. Immediately after the spill in the Gulf, it became evident that people are unaware of where their seafood comes from. Peruse any newspaper, blog, or website concerning food, and the questions seem limitless. People want to know if their seafood is safe to eat, and more so where it is coming from.
Given that in 2008, imports made up 83% of the seafood consumed in the U.S, the US plate has not been affected by the travesty in the Gulf. In the aftermath, however, it is essential that we support domestic seafood. By consuming domestic well-managed seafood that is in abundant supply, and supporting local communities, we refocus our attention on local waters and marine resources.
Another response encourages dialogue regarding our food supply. Only shop at restaurants and retail operations that are honest about the seafood they sell and fully cognizant about the transparency of their distribution chain. Most importantly, have faith in the systems that have been put in place to manage our fisheries and food systems. These mechanisms include a healthy set of checks and balances between the government, private enterprises and NGO’s.
Here are a few good resources to learn more about the safety of your seafood:
