Number: RS22797
Title: Seafood Safety: Background and Issues
Authors: Geoffrey S. Becker and Harold F. Upton, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: Although seafood consumption can contribute to a healthy diet, some fish and shellfish can cause foodborne illnesses or contain environmental contaminants. Are current food safety programs sufficiently protecting consumers, and if not, what changes should be considered? A complexity is that most U.S. seafood consumption is from imports. In the 110th Congress, the farm bill (P.L. 110-234) established new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) catfish inspection requirements. Elsewhere, a Senate committee-approved bill (S. 2688) is intended to strengthen oversight of seafood imports. Other pending bills include H.R. 3077 and S. 2914, also to improve seafood import safety; and H.R. 5219, to increase funding for seafood inspections.
Pages: 6
Date: August 25, 2008