For seafood products being tested by the FDA the standard testing would
include sensory analysis by trained/certified analysts as the primary
evaluation for decomposition. Additional chemical tests for histamine in
scromboid fish, indole in shrimp, etc. may be performed as well.
Microbiological examination is just that, analysis of the sample for harmful
bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, E. coli, etc.
for frozen seafood the FDA may indeed take 2 weeks to report findings but
this is an issue of balancing workload against firm deadlines for perishable
products such as fresh seafood etc which would be tested much faster -
plus while analyses may be completed they may not be reviewed and reported
right away for the same reasons - not everything can be done ASAP - lastly
some of the microbiology may take substantial time to complete if pathogens
are found as confirmations must be performed and serotyping done etc.
I hope this helps explain things a bit
ANRESCO performs a wide range of this type of work where the FDA has placed
an import product on detention without physical exam [DWPE or automatic
detention] based on the manufacturer having a history of repeatedly
providing bad product when tested by the FDA. At that point all future
shipments must be tested by a commercial lab and the results submitted to
the FDA before the goods would be released.
Ernest Jerry Oliveras, Jr.
Laboratory Director & President
ANRESCO, Inc.
1370 Van Dyke Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94124
www.anresco.com
800-359-0920 x18
FAX: 415-822-6615
cell: 415-378-1600
-----Original Message-----
From: Jae Kook Choi [mailto:jaekookchoi@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 5:26 AM
To: seafood@ucdavis.edu
Subject: "decomposition test" and "micro analysis test"
Dear Seafood Colleagues:
Does anybody know about "decomposition test" and "micro analysis test" which
FDA carries out for the imported frozen seafood fillets? I understand that
FDA took some samples to their Lab and took almost two weeks to finish this
test. I do not know what kind of test is "decomposition test" and "micro
analysis test". Please let me know, if anyone knows about it.
J.K. Choi
HANAMI Foods Corporation
Phone: 201-657-3386
Fax: 201-251-7652
Email: jkchoi@optonline.net
Warehouse:
Phone: 201-343-8810
Fax: 201-343-8853
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Mar 13 2003 - 10:26:03 PST