FDA targets ice on frozen seafood
Apr-03-2010

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it is reviewing a multistate investigation that found shoppers have been paying for large amounts of ice that are not supposed to be included in the price of frozen seafood.

The investigation - conducted by weights and measures inspectors in 17 states - found that a coating of ice applied to frozen seafood to preserve quality during storage and distribution often was wrongly included as part of the labeled weight of seafood. In some instances, the investigation found, ice accounted for 40 percent of the product's weight.

"We're reviewing their results and determining whether FDA should take any action and, if so, what actions should we take," said Michael Herndon, spokesman for the FDA.

Herndon said the FDA could direct one of its district offices to target a particular firm or consider sampling of a particular commodity or country based on the trends they are able to find.

All imports subject to FDA regulation are screened before entry into the country, Herndon said. A new computerized system will enable investigators to better target food coming into the country that may be "adulterated, economically or otherwise," he added.

If the FDA determines economic fraud is taking place, he said, it will first issue a warning letter and later take "stronger action" if necessary. Herndon said the FDA has issued numerous warning letters on the seafood-ice issue.

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