Bipartisan Bill Would Give FDA Authority to Destroy Rejected Seafood
A bipartisan bill recently was introduced in the House that would give the FDA the authority to destroy imported seafood that doesn't pass inspection. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., and Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., said food should be treated the same as adulterated medicine or counterfeit medical devices.
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National Aquaculture Association Executive Director Paul Zajicek said in the press release announcing the bill: "Amongst the U.S. aquaculture community that competes against foreign imported seafood it is common knowledge importers will 'shop' ports of entry after an initial denial by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration."
Because the FDA does not inspect all seafood entering the U.S., shipments that were rejected for antibiotic residues or pathogens could enter elsewhere, they say.