U.S – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced updates to its indispensable resource, “The Seafood List—FDA’s Guide to Determine Acceptable Seafood Names: Guidance for Industry.”
While the core principles of this guidance document remain unchanged, the FDA has made revisions to enhance clarity and has incorporated new examples of acceptable seafood names.
The primary purpose of this guidance is to provide industry stakeholders with invaluable insights into what the FDA considers acceptable market and common names for seafood available in the U.S. This, in turn, assists manufacturers in accurately labeling seafood products.
The guidance offers detailed information on acceptable market names, common names, scientific names, and vernacular names for various seafood species sold in the United States, all of which are meticulously listed in FDA’s Seafood List.
Prominent update: “Kanpachi (Ocean-Farmed)”
Among the notable changes is the addition of “Kanpachi (Ocean-Farmed)” as an acceptable market name for Amberjack (Seriola rivoliana).
This specific alteration was necessitated by Section 774 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328). In alignment with this legislative requirement, the FDA officially included “Kanpachi (Ocean-Farmed)” in The Seafood List in July 2023.
These updates reaffirm the FDA’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accuracy in seafood labeling, providing both consumers and industry professionals with the tools and information they need to make informed choices and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
The Fish List
Over the years, the U.S. Federal Government has been dedicated to providing consistent and scientifically well-founded guidance to both the seafood industry and consumers regarding acceptable market names for seafood products sold in interstate commerce.
This commitment led to a pivotal development in 1988 when the FDA, in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service, introduced “The Fish List.” This initiative aimed to establish a reliable reference for seafood names, fostering uniformity and clarity in the U.S. market while reducing confusion among consumers.
While “The Fish List” achieved notable success in its objectives, its utility was limited by its exclusion of invertebrate species.
Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive approach, in 1993, the list underwent a significant revision.
This update expanded its scope to encompass acceptable market names for both domestic and imported invertebrate species sold in interstate commerce. Consequently, “The Fish List” was rebranded as “The Seafood List.”
Today, “The Seafood List” serves as a vital resource offering valuable information to the seafood industry.
It aids in the proper labeling of seafood products and items containing seafood ingredients, aligning with regulatory requirements for statement of identity (21 CFR 101.3) and ingredient lists (21 CFR 101.4).
This ongoing effort ensures transparency, accuracy, and informed choices for consumers in the seafood marketplace.
