Seafood Safety: Seriousness of Problems and Efforts to Protect Consumers.
Abstract
Growing public awareness and concerns about seafood contamination have sparked a renewed interest in seafood safety. Concerns have been expressed that federal initiatives to protect consumers are not sufficient and a mandatory seafood inspection system should be implemented. Because of these concerns and the attention given to seafood safety. GAO gathered information on the nature, extent, and seriousness of seafood safety problems; identified the governmental activities that address the issue; and expert views on the need for changes, such as the need for a mandatory seafood inspection system or other changes in existing programs. Seafood illness data reported to the Centers for Disease Control from 1978 to 1984, represented about 5 percent of all food-borne illness cases. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1986 found adverse seafood samples-those in violation of regulations and requiring action-about 29 percent of the time, but the majority of these adverse findings would not be considered direct threats to human health. Federal and state agencies perform safety-related inspections, data gathering, and research activities to help monitor the condition of the nation's seafood. There does not appear to be a compelling cast at this time for implementing a comprehensive, mandatory federal seafood inspection program similar to that used for meat and poultry. (aw)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199556
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office