Seafood has traditionally been a popular part of the diet in many parts of the world. In some countries it has been the main supply of animal protein. Today even more people are turning to fish as a healthy alternative to red meat. However, consumption of fish and shellfish may also cause diseases due to the consumption of infected or intoxicated products. Some of the diseases have been specifically associated with consumption of seafood while others have been of more general nature. Some seafood is processed in a modern fish industry which is a technologically advanced and complicated industry in line with any other food industry and with the same risk of products being contaminated with pathogenic organisms or toxins.
Seafood includes finfish, shellfish and cephalopods (octopus, squid). The term shellfish covers the bivalve molluscan shellfish (oysters, cockles, clams and mussels), the gastropods (periwinkles, sea-snails) and the crustacean shellfish (crab, lobster, shrimp).
No food production, processing, distribution company or organization can be self-sustained in the medium and long term unless the issues of quality, including the safety aspect, are properly recognized and addressed, and an appropriate quality system is put into operation in the processing establishment. The quality of our foods is of major concern to food processors and public health authorities. Thus, the need for control of the quality of our food is very important and, since the rate of food-borne illnesses is increasing, there is also an urgent need to improve the traditional or present means of assuring the quality of food.
FARE Labs can provide support for the same with its wide range of testing services. Indian seafood exporters need a reliable and competent partner to address the issues of Seafood Quality Assurance which involves auditing, testing and other analysis of the product at each stage to verify that it satisfies food safety and regulatory requirements. FARE Labs can analyze fish species to prevent food fraud or mislabeling. Our comprehensive portfolio of analytical tests includes not only innovative DNA – based species identification of fish, but also other parameters to ensure the overall quality and quality control of fish and aquaculture products.
