Mike
Well-known member
Ark. congressman calls for ban on Vietnamese basa fish
The Associated Press
August 18, 2005
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Research findings that show traces of an antibiotic in Vietnamese basa fish has U.S. Rep. Mike Ross asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a temporary nationwide ban on the sale the of fish because of health concerns.
The agency recently found traces of fluoroquinolone, a forbidden antibiotic, in imported samples of the fish and issued an alert to inform states of the finding.
Louisiana and Alabama then banned the sale of the fish within their borders and Mississippi warned shoppers from buying "foreign imported basa that may contain unapproved antibiotics."
The Democrat from south Arkansas, where catfish also is big business, sent a letter Wednesday to FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford that asks the agency to recall the fish and extend the ban to include all of the country.
"The consumption of this antibiotic could pose adverse health conditions to consumers," Ross said in the letter. "In the interest of public health safety, I'm writing to request that you extend this recall and halt all sales of Vietnamese basa fish across the country until the proper testing has taken place."
Ross said in a telephone interview later that he believed the extra precaution is necessary because it's not known where all the contaminated fish was shipped.
"My deal is better safe than sorry," Ross said.
The antibiotic is given to prevent disease in Vietnamese fish, but is not allowed in food in the United States, Canada and Europe out of concern that the germs the antibiotic fights would become resistant, making it less effective when given directly to humans to fight infections.
The state bans affected more than 300 tons of Vietnamese seafood in Louisiana and about 25 tons of imported farmed seafood in Alabama.
Ann Wright, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Health Department, said the department has been monitoring the situation.
"Right now, we're unaware of any of that product being in Arkansas but should become aware of it then we would take the appropriate steps to protect the public's health," Wright said.
Alabama and Louisiana already have banned the fish and Mississippi has issued a warning to consumers.
The Associated Press
August 18, 2005
ARTICLE FEATURES
• e-mail this article
• print this article
• discuss this article
Research findings that show traces of an antibiotic in Vietnamese basa fish has U.S. Rep. Mike Ross asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a temporary nationwide ban on the sale the of fish because of health concerns.
The agency recently found traces of fluoroquinolone, a forbidden antibiotic, in imported samples of the fish and issued an alert to inform states of the finding.
Louisiana and Alabama then banned the sale of the fish within their borders and Mississippi warned shoppers from buying "foreign imported basa that may contain unapproved antibiotics."
The Democrat from south Arkansas, where catfish also is big business, sent a letter Wednesday to FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford that asks the agency to recall the fish and extend the ban to include all of the country.
"The consumption of this antibiotic could pose adverse health conditions to consumers," Ross said in the letter. "In the interest of public health safety, I'm writing to request that you extend this recall and halt all sales of Vietnamese basa fish across the country until the proper testing has taken place."
Ross said in a telephone interview later that he believed the extra precaution is necessary because it's not known where all the contaminated fish was shipped.
"My deal is better safe than sorry," Ross said.
The antibiotic is given to prevent disease in Vietnamese fish, but is not allowed in food in the United States, Canada and Europe out of concern that the germs the antibiotic fights would become resistant, making it less effective when given directly to humans to fight infections.
The state bans affected more than 300 tons of Vietnamese seafood in Louisiana and about 25 tons of imported farmed seafood in Alabama.
Ann Wright, a spokeswoman for the Arkansas Health Department, said the department has been monitoring the situation.
"Right now, we're unaware of any of that product being in Arkansas but should become aware of it then we would take the appropriate steps to protect the public's health," Wright said.
Alabama and Louisiana already have banned the fish and Mississippi has issued a warning to consumers.
