|
SPARKS ANNOUNCES TEST RESULTS, EXTENDS VIETNAMESE FISH BAN
 | | Commissioner Ron Sparks, with Lab Director Patricia Mason and Deputy Commissioner Ray Hilburn, discusses the FDA's zero tolerance policy for contaminants in imported fish. |
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Ron Sparks today extended a ban on Vietnamese fish and seafood based on laboratory tests conducted since the stop-sale order was issued Aug. 12. Out of 21 Vietnamese fish samples, 19 tested positive for the presence of the illegal antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. In addition to finding fluoroquinolones, there were also three cases that showed positive results for malachite green. In addition, 13 fish samples labeled as "sole" were found to be other fish species. Over 200,000 pounds of fish have been determined to be contaminated or mislabeled since sampling began. "This stop sale is for foreign fish products imported from Vietnam that have either been mislabeled or contain illegal drugs," said Sparks. "Companies with cleared test results may sell their products in Alabama. The Department will continue sample testing, and if results prove contamination or mislabeling, then I will push for a permanent ban on these products."
|
More Headlines...
