USA: Organic fish farm is alternative to Chinese imports

Source: eatdrinkexplore.com

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NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. — In a move to show his support for a crackdown on fish imported from China, U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) toured an organic fish farm Wednesday, located in New York's Hudson River Valley.

“It has become abundantly clear that fish and seafood from China can stink, and it’s time the Food and Drug Administration stepped up their efforts to protect the public health,” Schumer said. “Once again, China’s blatant disregard for basic safety standards has put Americans’ health at risk."

The farm, Continental Organics in New Windsor, is run by Mike Finnegan who said health concerns and economic problems are at the root of the imported fish issue.

“I want to applaud Senator Schumer for taking the lead on this important issue,” said Finnegan. “The US imports over 80% of its seafood but less than 1% of it is inspected by the FDA at our borders.

Finnegan, a Republican, also said producers in China and other Southeast Asian countries are not held to the same FDA standards, so they can undercut producers here in the U.S. by selling their fish at a lower price.

Schumer agrees with Finnegan and said that is why he's, "urging the FDA to immediately step up inspections of imported fish to increase safety and to take steps to make fish origin labels more accurate so consumers know where their food is coming from.”

A press release from the senator's office sites NBC's Today Show as saying, potentially harmful chemicals including malachite green, choloramphenicol, and nitrofurans, all of which are banned from food in the U.S., have been found in imported seafood.

Continental Organics is a service-disabled and veteran-owned business, which produces organic fish. The company plans to employ 120 full-time workers, 50% of whom will be veterans or disabled veterans. It's goal is to operate a large scale aquaponics facility to primarily produce tilapia, which will be growth-hormone, antibiotic, and GMO free.

Schumer recently wrote a letter to the head of the FDA expressing his concern over the quality and safety of fish imported from China. In addition, the senator is supporting the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act, which directs the Secretary of Commerce to strengthen federal activities for ensuring that commercially distributed seafood meets federal food quality and safety requirements.

The FDA states that it is responsible for the safety of all fish and fishery products entering the United States and uses every available tool to identify immediate or potential threats.

More information: http://www.continental-organics.com/

Tip: OrganicPortal USA - Organic Food

OrganicPortal NewsRoom

24.12.2011

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