FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE IN THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY – ACCREDITED FISH FARM SCHEME

Accredited Fish Farm Scheme on-site inspection for a local fish farm

THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE AND GOOD QUALITY FOOD

The sustainability challenges of the seafood industry is one of the hardest to monitor. For instance, it is often overlooked how closely interlinked food safety, nutrition and food security are. Access to safe and nutritious food is key to sustaining life and promoting good health. Unsafe food – that contains harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances can cause more than 200 different diseases^[1]. Around the world, an estimated 600 million (almost 1 in 10 people) fall ill after eating contaminated foods each year[2].

Locally, the Centre for Food Safety keep the Hong Kong public informed of food safety alerts. Interestingly in 2021 alone there have been six food/allergy alerts, including not to consume pre-packaged rice cookies from Taiwan for concern of non-food grade nitrogen in production^[3] and undeclared allergens found in pre-packaged date sample^[4].

Seafood fraud is increasingly common^[5]. The FAO published a report on food fraud in the fisheries sector, identifying fish being the third highest risk category. The article highlighted a case study of mislabeled puffer fish in Bangladesh. Some of the species contain a toxin (called Tetrodoxin) which can cause fatalities when consuming the fish with high levels of this toxin. In Bangladesh in 2008, unknowingly purchased cheap puffer fish with tetrodotoxin in local markets gave rise to 3 outbreaks, 141 cases and 17 deaths^[6].

A steady and safe supply of food not only contributes to food and nutrition security, but also supports national economies, trade and tourism, stimulating sustainable development.  In this article, we explore the importance of seafood assurance schemes using the Accredited Fish Farm Scheme as an example, the robust compliance requirements and how this impacts consumer confidence.

ACCREDITED FISH FARM SCHEME

In Hong Kong, The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) set up the Accredited Fish Farm Scheme (AFFS) in order to promote the sustainability of the fisheries industry, and by doing so improve the quality of locally produced aquaculture products.

The scheme also supports local aquaculturists to increase the competitiveness of their products and to provide quality and safe fish to the public. It aims[7]:

• to enhance the quality of local aquaculture products by introducing Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) to local aquatic farms;
• to increase transparency of the production process through the standardization of processes in order to gain consumer confidence in local aquaculture products;
• to highlight the safety of local aquaculture products by introducing pre-marketing product tests; and
• to make local aquaculture products stand out through branding.

Voluntary Accredited Fish Farm Scheme is prepared by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Local fish farm registered with Accredited Fish Farm Scheme

Logo of Accredited Fish Farm Scheme

FMO PROCESSING CENTRE

To facilitate the growth of the local seafood industry, the Fish Marketing Organization established the Fish Processing Center in 2005 in Aberdeen. The center develops and supplies premium items, such as dried, salted and processed fisheries products to customers[13] including restaurants, supermarkets, hotels and public institutions.

AFFS accredited fish come from the New Territories and the outlying islands to the processing center. According to Market Manager of the Fish Marketing Organization, Mr. Henry Yip, frozen fish quality is about 80% that of fresh fish, and once you start to fillet fish, the moisture and nutrients start to decrease. An innovative cooling technique called IQF (Individual Quick Freezing – a quick-freezing method) is implemented to address this challenge, by cooling the fish to -18°C over a 2 hour period. In this video (in Cantonese), Mr. Yip explains that this technique maintains the freshness and the quality of the fish.

Then the fish are fileted, placed in a vacuum-sealed bag and issued with a certification label. In order to provide sufficient time for fish to reabsorb moisture, the fish should be defrosted in a fridge – ideally overnight[14].

This cooling technique allows fisher people across Hong Kong to provide supplies all year across all seasons. This is beneficial for both consumers and fisher people, and for the latter, important for sustaining year-long livelihoods.

Booth for promotion of Accredited Fish Farm Scheme products

Advertising board for promotion of local accredited fish