In 2009, the FDA looked at the growing problem of economically-motivated adulteration of foods. The FDA is defining economically-motivated adulteration as “the fraudulent, intentional substitution or addition of a substance in a product for the purpose of increasing the apparent value of the product or reducing the cost of its production, i.e., for economic gain.” This includes the use of antibiotics, pesticides, and other chemicals in farm-raised seafood.
The SSA argued in comments submitted to the FDA in August 2009 that to effectively control public health risks, economically-motivated adulteration must simultaneously address the fraudulent mislabeling of country of origin of seafood imported into the United States. The consequences of mislabeling country of origin of seafood are both economic and health-related for consumers because the use of antibiotics and other banned substances in aquaculture is more prevalent in foreign production of seafood. The intentional mislabeling of imported shrimp gives consumers false confidence that they are receiving safe, wholesome, natural shrimp and undermines the premium price for U.S. wild-caught shrimp – all for the economic benefit of a few.
August 1, 2009 Comments to FDA on Economically Motivated Adulteration