BSB Resources

Explore all of the Better Seafood Board collection of Resources, Downloads, links, and multimedia features.

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Did You Know?

Did You Know? FDA States that "White Roughy" not Acceptable Market Name for Basa. NFI received a letter from FDA this past week clarifying the agency's policy for the use of the term "white roughy" for basa fish.

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Did You Know?

White Roughy is not an acceptable Market Name for Basa

In a letter to NFI, FDA clarified the agency’s policy for the use of the term “white roughy” for basa. FDA believes that marketing basa or any other fish in the Pangasiidae family as “white roughy” is misleading to the consumer. Fish known as “roughies” such as “orange roughy” are classified differently from Basa and command a higher value in the marketplace. Misleading fish names violate the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Better Seafood Board

About the Better Seafood Board

Members of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) have taken a pledge to stamp out economic fraud in the seafood industry.

The Better Seafood Board (BSB) was formed in 2007 to support the commitment of NFI members to abide by industry principles of economic integrity by not selling seafood that is short in weight or count, that has the wrong name, or that has been transshipped from one country to another to circumvent duties and tariffs.

The BSB, an organization governed independently from NFI, provides the mechanism for industry's partners in the supply chain - restaurants, retail operations, further manufacturers - to report suppliers committing economic fraud. Seafood buyers who have unresolved issues with their suppliers for selling short weight or otherwise mislabeled products are encouraged to contact the BSB call center at 1-866-956-4BSB (or 1-866-956-4272) to document these issues.

Suppliers who cheat customers cheat the entire industry. Suppliers, restaurants and retailers who follow the rules often get penalized in the marketplace. Fair and lawful business practices are essential for ensuring consumer confidence in seafood – the entire supply chain is responsible for maintaining this confidence.

In The News

November 22, 2011, Miami, Floriday

Tampa Company and Its President Sentenced for Mislabeling Shrimp

The Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Adrian Vela and Sea Food Center, LLC., both of Tampa, Florida, on charges that they conspired to mislabel shrimp. The two had previously pled guilty to a nine-count Criminal Information, which charged them with conspiring to violate the Lacey Act and the Food Drug and Cosmetics Act by false labeling of less marketable substituted seafood product, “Shrimp, Product of Thailand,” “Shrimp, Product of Malaysia,” and “Shrimp, Product of Indonesia,” which was misbranded, marketed, and intended to be marketed as “Shrimp, Product of Panama.” This conspiracy involved more than 500,000 pounds of shrimp, with a retail value of between $400,000 and $750,000.

Mr. Vela was sentenced to three (3) years of probation. Sea Food Center was sentenced to one year of probation, a $15,000 fine and $1,200 special assessment.

May 24, 2011 Boston, Massachusetts

Seafood Wholesaler Sentenced for False Labeling of Fish

The Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Thomas Katz of Burlington, Massachusetts and Universal Group Inc. for purchasing and selling falsely labeled fish. Mr. Katz was sentenced to one year probation and three months home detention and fined $75,000. Universal Groups was sentenced to three years probation and fined $75,000. In May 2010, Mr. Katz pled guilty to one felony violation and one misdemeanor violation of the Lacey Act.

Are Maxport and other companies offering to help you break the law?

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FDA Guidance

FDA Published Guidance to Acceptable Market Names for Seafood FDA has posted on the agency's website an updated guidance on acceptable market names for seafood and an updated, searchable Seafood List.

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FDA Guidelines

FDA Publishes Guidance to Acceptable Market Names for Seafood

FDA has posted on the agency's website updated guidance on determining acceptable market names for seafood along with a searchable Seafood List. The document is intended to provide guidance to industry about what FDA considers to be acceptable market names for seafood sold in interstate commerce and to assist manufacturers in labeling seafood products. The Seafood List provides information to assist manufacturers in properly labeling seafood and to reflect the acceptable market names of new species introduced into the U.S. marketplace. Included in the guidance document is a section outlining the principles for determining acceptable market names which outlines FDA thinking in evaluating whether or not a name is an acceptable market name. We encourage you to share this FDA Guidance Document and updated Seafood List with your suppliers and customers to support your commitment to ensuring that your products are labeled with the correct species identification.

INDUSTRY SCOOP

2012 NFI Global Seafood Market Conference

Register now for the inaugural 2012 NFI Global Seafood Market Conference. The conference features the “Seafood Ladder” and will provide your company with information on the economic, social and demographic trends and changes that will affect the international seafood markets. The agenda and registration are available at http://www.cvent.com/d/ycqjb1. For phone registration, please call 703-752-8882.