MONTGOMERY– Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks announced a Stop Sale on imported catfish and basa product from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, China and Vietnam due to positive results for the antibiotic fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolones are not allowed for use in fish or seafood by the FDA.
A total of forty samples of basa type products and catfish were tested from the 5 countries with 18 positive results for fluoroquinolones. Commissioner Sparks has issued 9 suspension from sale or movement orders for 486 cases of product (8,840 lbs). This product has been either voluntarily destroyed or returned to the importer of record after the Department has notified the FDA.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries detection reporting limit is 1 part per billion (ppb) or greater. Seventeen samples were in the 1-5ppb range and one sample tested greater than 50ppb. Product samples continue to be collected and tested and enforcement action will be implemented as necessary.
“The Automatic Stop Sale Order criteria established in April of 2007 is still in effect,” stated Sparks. “This series of tests that we have just completed indicates the importance of the continuation of the Stop Sale Order.”
Test results:
Basa type products (swai, sutchi, pangasius)
Vietnam: 12 of 19 tested positive
Cambodia: 2 of 2 tested positive
Indonesia: 1 of 3 tested positive
Thailand: 1 of 7 tested positive
China: 1 of 1 tested positive
Channel catfish
China: 1 of 8 tested positive