News & Events

To our valued customers:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published a new edition of the Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Control Guidance (Fourth Edition - April 2011) which clarifies mandatory requirements to which all seafood distributors must adhere. These requirements may impact the availability of some products to our customers who serve certain types of sushi.

Specifically, the FDA advises that those seafood products known to be susceptible to parasites can present a human health hazard if consumed uncooked or undercooked. Certain freezing methods, as detailed in FDA's guidance document, are required in order to eliminate parasites from these species when intended for raw or undercooked consumption. Some examples of the parasite susceptible species most often used by our customers (though not all parasite susceptible species are listed here) for raw or undercooked Asian specialties such as sushi include:

• Cobia (+ some aquacultured varieties)
• Flounder / Fluke / Halibut / Sole (+ some aquacultured varieties)
• Grouper
• Herring
• Jack / Crevalle / Runner / Trevally
• Jobfish
• Mackerel / Spanish Mackerel
• Mullet
• Octopus
• Rockfish
• Salmon (+ some aquacultured varieties)
• Scad
• Sea Bass (+ some aquacultured varieties)
• Sea trout
• Skipjack
• Squid

According to FDA's guidance document, species that normally have a parasite hazard as a result of consuming infected prey apparently do not have the same parasite hazard when raised only on pellet feed in an aquaculture operation. Such aquacultured fish need not be considered as having a parasite hazard.

Out of an abundance of caution, True World Foods is seriously assessing its distribution policies for parasite susceptible seafood items. In some cases it may be necessary to discontinue or limit availability of entire species or just individual varieties of these species. In other situations we are working hard to source suitable alternative products for our customers. In all instances it is important to remember that thoroughly cooking eliminates the possibility of a parasite hazard.

Our sales teams will be reaching out to customers in the coming days and weeks to assist them toward finding acceptable solutions that meet their needs for appropriate product usage, product availability and freezing requirements to address these potential risks. We hope that any disruption of supply for these particular products will be minimal and temporary.

At True World Foods, offering our customers superior service and premium quality seafood is at the core of what we do every day. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we endeavor to continue providing safe, wholesome seafood that you can serve your customers with confidence.