Extension and Outreach Publications Extension and Outreach
10-2016 Iowa Fish Processing Frequently Asked Questions D. Allen Pattillo Iowa State University, [email protected]
Mark Speltz Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
Follow this and additional works at: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_pubs Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons
Recommended Citation Pattillo, D. Allen and Speltz, Mark, "Iowa Fish Processing Frequently Asked Questions" (2016). Extension and Outreach Publications. 239. http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_pubs/239
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publications in the Iowa State University Digital Repository are made available for historical purposes only. Users are hereby notified that the content may be inaccurate, out of date, incomplete and/or may not meet the needs and requirements of the user. Users should make their own assessment of the information and whether it is suitable for their intended purpose. For current publications and information from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, please visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu. Aquaculture Iowa Fish Processing Frequently Asked Questions
INTRODUCTION Aquaculture production is the fastest growing segment of agriculture on a global scale, and is a growing industry in Iowa. Global seafood demand is at an all-time high, with more than half the total seafood consumed coming from aquaculture. In the United States, more than 90 percent of the consumed seafood is imported from overseas, leaving an annual trade deficit of over $12 billion. Recently, concerns about imported seafood quality and a desire for locally produced foods has created new opportunities for Fresh Hybrid Striped Bass on ice. Iowa farmers to diversify their farm income beyond traditional row crops and livestock enterprises. Aquaculture is being practiced by people from all New aquaculture producers enter the FAQS ABOUT FISH AND walks of life and is even being used as industry at different production scales, FISHERY PRODUCTS a teaching tool for science educators. with varying levels of aquaculture skills, experience, and education, DEFINITIONS OF FISH creating a gap in knowledge about the Fish means fresh or saltwater finfish, regulations associated with seafood crustaceans, and other forms of processing. aquatic life (including alligator, frog, aquatic turtle, jellyfish, sea cucumber, Fish processing is a necessary step in sea urchin, and the roe of such the development of a mature seafood animals) other than birds or mammals, industry, and food safety and human and all mollusks, if such animal life health are foundational to making is intended for human consumption it sustainable. Getting these seafood (Iowa Food Code 1-201.10). products to the consumer can be done through a variety of methods including Fish includes an edible human food whole-live fish, head-on gutted, and product derived in whole or in part fresh or frozen fillets. In order to from fish, including fish that have ensure these products are safe for the been processed in any manner (Iowa consumer, the Iowa Department of Food Code 1-201.10). Inspections and Appeals regulates seafood processing. This publication Pond harvest of Nile Tilapia. provides answers to several frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to seafood processing in Iowa.
FA0009A October 2016 Aquaculture
Q. Can a food establishment or food processing plant receive fish from an aquaculturist, commercial turtle harvester, commercial roe harvester, or commercial fisher? A. Yes, provided the aquaculturist, commercial turtle harvester, commercial roe harvester, or commercial fisher is properly licensed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) and the fish have not been processed Skin-on fillets ready to cook. in any way. Q. What type of licenses does turtles from any other locations Q. Can a commercial fisher, the Iowa DNR issue related to in Iowa (Iowa Code 481A.121). culturing or harvesting fish for commercial turtle harvester, human consumption? An aquaculture unit license commercial roe harvester, allows individuals to culture or aquaculturist process and A. The DNR issues five licenses fish. to harvest and sell wild caught sell fish direct to consumers fish or to culture fish. A commercial roe harvester without a license issued allows individuals to harvest by the Iowa Department of A commercial fisher license roe species for purposes of allows an individual to harvest taking roe. Inspections and Appeals (DIA) designated fish species from or one of the local contracting the Mississippi and Missouri Q. What proof can a food agencies? rivers, including turtles. establishment or food A. No, fish are considered a (No commercial fishing is processing plant provide to potentially hazardous food allowed in the Big Sioux and therefore licensure as a River. Commercial fishers an inspector to verify the fish have been received from an food establishment or a food are allowed to commercially processing plant is required. harvest designated fish species approved source? from inland waters of the state A. The food establishment can Q. What activities can a on a contract basis.) supply the invoice that lists commercial fisher, commercial A resident commercial turtle the name and address of the turtle harvester, commercial harvester license allows an commercial fisher, commercial individual to harvest turtles turtle harvester, commercial roe harvester, or aquaculturist from Iowa waters. roe harvester, or aquaculturist do without licensing as a A nonresident commercial and the date, quantity, food establishment or food turtle harvester license allows and species purchased. It processing plant? would be helpful if the food an individual (nonresident) A. Activities that do not require establishment also provided to harvest turtles from the licensing are limited to a copy of the suppliers DNR Mississippi River, Missouri washing and icing. River, and the Big Sioux issued license. Rivers only. It is unlawful for Q. What activities are a nonresident or alien to take Q. Can a commercial fisher, commercial turtle harvester, considered “processing” commercial roe harvester, or and require licensing as a aquaculturist process and sell food establishment or food fish to food establishments processing plant? without a food establishment A. Processing activities include or food processing plant heading, gutting, cutting, filleting, freezing, storing, and license? packaging. A. No, a food establishment or food processing plant license is required to process and purchase fish for resale. Automated filleting machine.
2 Aquaculture
Q. Can a food establishment CONTACTS IOWA DEPARTMENT OF process properly received For more information regarding NATURAL RESOURCES fish with a retail food aquaculture, value-added products, Aquaculture Permitting establishment or a food service food safety, and regulations, please establishment license? refer to the contacts below. Alan Johnson Natural Resources Biologist A. Yes, the current rules only Iowa DNR, Fisheries require a food processing IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY 15053 Hatchery Place license if the facility’s D. Allen Pattillo Moravia, IA 52571 predominant form of business Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension is wholesale. 641-647-2658 Specialist [email protected] Q. Can a food establishment Department of Natural Resource sell fish or fishery products Ecology and Management COALITION TO SUPPORT 107 Science Hall 2 wholesale? IOWA’S FARMERS Ames, IA 50011-3221 Brian Waddingham A. Yes, however any fish or 515-294-8616 Executive Director fishery products that are [email protected] sold wholesale are subject to Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers Seafood HACCP regulations P.O. Box 9127 Ray Hansen Des Moines, IA 50306-9127 regardless of whether the Director, Agricultural Marketing establishment is licensed 1-800-932-2436 as a food establishment or Resource Center at Iowa State 515-225-5531 a food processing plant. In University Agriculture and Natural [email protected] January 2014, Iowa adopted Resources Extension and Outreach. 21 CFR Part 123 which states 1111C NSRIC IOWA DEPARTMENT OF Ames, IA 50011-3310 that if a food establishment is INSPECTIONS AND APPEALS actively wholesaling fish as a 515-294-3890 Mark Speltz normal part of their business, [email protected] DIA should be notified for Chief Inspector, Food and Consumer guidance. If the establishment’s Angela Shaw Safety Bureau predominate form of business Assistant Professor in Food Science and Lucas State Office Building is wholesale then DIA would Human Nutrition and 321 East 12th Street license the facility as a food Extension Specialist in Food Safety Des Moines, IA 50319-0083 processing plant. Iowa State University 515-669-3266 AUTHORS 2577 Food Science [email protected] D. Allen Pattillo, Fisheries and Ames, IA 50011-1061 Aquaculture Extension Specialist, 515-294-0868 Iowa State University Extension and [email protected] Outreach; and Mark Speltz, Chief Inspector, Food and Consumer Safety Joseph Morris Bureau, Iowa Department of Inspections Professor and Director of the North and Appeals Central Regional Aquaculture Center Iowa State University PHOTO CREDITS 111 Science II D. Allen Pattillo: page 1, column 2-3. Ames, IA 50011-3221 515-294-4622 Dan Burden, page 1, column 1. [email protected] Ronald Kinnunen, page 2, column 2-3.
…and justice for all Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Ross Wilburn, Diversity Officer, 2150 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, 515-294-1482, [email protected].
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cathann A. Kress, director, Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.
3