FDA passes catfish inspection responsibilities to USDA

The USDA will send inspectors to both foreign- and domestic farm-raised catfish businesses.
The USDA will send inspectors to both foreign- and domestic farm-raised catfish businesses. | File photo

After battling for seven years about improving the quality of food safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its catfish inspection responsibilities to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Catfish farmers in Alabama applaud the change, saying inspections from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service will hold foreign imports to the same high standards at local farm-raised catfish.

“This is something we’ve been fighting for seven years and it will level the playing field,” Will Pearce, Alabama Catfish Producers chairman, said. “This will make sure that any harmful chemicals used overseas don’t get into our U.S. food supply, and foreign-raised fish will be inspected on the same level as U.S.-raised catfish.”

The transfer from FDA to USDA officially occurred on March 1. The USDA has started an 18-month introductory period for foreign producers and will soon send inspectors to both foreign- and domestic farm-raised catfish businesses to guarantee the products are safe for human consumption.