4 °C - the National Sea Grant Library

Irradiation
Issue Review
Laboratory Checklist
Patrol
Plant Standardization Advisory
Procedures
Research Guidance
Resolutions
Shellfish Container
(1)
(2)
(3)
Shellfish Restoration
shipping
Standardization of Growing Areas
Strategic Planning
Survey
Tagging
Thermal Processing
Time/Temperature
Vibrio Vulnificus
Wet Storage
The ISSC has several ongoing efforts that I want to update.
On October 1, 1993, the FDA implemented a revised state evaluation program
referred to as “Focus ‘94”. FDA invited ISSC comments prior to finalizing
Focus ‘94, and ISSC recommendations were incorporated into the program.
For many years the ISSC executive board has been encouraging a more
effective compliance effort with ISSC involvement in state non-compliance
issues. This compliance initiative provides for both. The safety of molluscan
shellfish should not be judged by the least effective state shellfish control
program, and I am very encouraged by this effort. I believe that consistent,
uniform evaluations and sanctions are criticaI to ensuring the safety of
molluscan shellfish and instilling consumer confidence. FDA invited ISSC
executive Director, Ken Moore, to attend their Focus ‘94 workshop which
was held in October, 1993. The meeting involved all shellfish regional
specialists and focused on implementation of the initiative. Ken indicated he
was impressed with the cooperative attitude of everyone present. The ISSC
believes this effort will resolve many of the long-standing problems which
have been associated with state evaluations.
In 1994, the conference adopted a formal procedure for FDA to issue NSSP
manual interpretations. FDA and ISSC jointly agreed to discontinue the
issuance of formal manual interpretations approximately six years ago;
however, the shellfish processing plant standardization and compliance
initiatives require a mechanism for obtaining guidance and clarification
regarding NSSP guidelines. The procedure, which is available to anyone
involved in molluscan shellfish, became effective April 26 and has been
provided to all members and participants of ISSC. If the responses received
on the first three drafts are any indication, this is going to be a very helpful
and productive process.
The standardization of shellfish processing plant inspection became effective
January 1, 1994. Standardization is a major step, and it has not come without
problems. The ISSC executive board has established a plant standardization
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