Seal of approval for seafood sector
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published a comprehensive list of seafood establishments which meet with EU's approval
Print16 March 2010
Seafood establishments nationwide received a seal of approval as they adhere to EU regulations implementing best practice for the processing and handling of fish products. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) marked a milestone by publishing the comprehensive list of approved seafood establishments. An establishment that handles or processes fish products is required to be ‘approved’ under EU regulations. Approval involves verification of the presence of necessary structures and systems to produce safe food. The SFPA works with the fishing industry to ensure that fish products produced, processed, sold in Ireland and abroad meet the highest standards of food safety. As part of its role in seafood safety, the SFPA is responsible for the approval of establishments processing and handling fishery products.
Approval provides each plant with a specific number which is incorporated into the oval identification mark that consumers may see on the label of seafood. Each Member State in the EU is required to maintain up-to-date list of approved establishments and their numbers which should be made available to other Member States and to the public. The Irish list contains approved land-based establishments, freezer fishing vessels and factory fishing vessels. The list also outlines the categories of products and the activities currently ongoing at each establishment.
Micheál O’Mahony, board member of the SFPA, said: “The re-approval of seafood establishments which was necessary due to a change in legislation provides a valuable re-affirmation by the seafood industry of their commitment to the production of safe food. Many establishments took the opportunity to carry out improvements in structures, procedures and food safety management systems. These establishments including fishing vessels are audited and inspected by the SFPA. The SFPA continues to provide the industry with advice in relation to approval requirements for all establishments.”
The list of approved establishments can be viewed on the SFPA website at http://sfpa-ie. The list will be updated as appropriate to reflect any changes. Queries regarding this or any of the information on the list may be addressed to sfpafoodsafety@sfpa.ie
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