Guidelines for risk-based fish inspection

Abstract

Fish and fishery products are nutritious and healthy and are an important source of food and livelihood for many millions of people worldwide. However, if such products are not handled and processed correctly the consumer may be at risk. Fish inspection is concerned with ensuring that the consumer has access to safe and nutritious fish and fish products, whether the fish is from domestic sources of supply, imported or to be exported to consumers in another country. The present guidelines are des igned to complement the FAO Risk-based food inspection manual, and consist of five main sections: 1) introduction, 2) important characteristics of fish as food, food safety hazards, and the risk-based approach to fish inspection, 3) key elements of the fish inspection process, 4) the knowledge and understanding required by fish inspectors in order to carry out their duties, and 5) sources of further information on the topics covered in these guidelines. Key references that provide more informati on on the topics covered in these guidelines and that are recommended further reading are listed at the end of the final chapter. These guidelines will assist fish inspectors to carry out these responsibilities and are designed to be used in conjunction with the generic food inspection procedures described in the FAO Food and nutrition paper 89 Risk-based food inspection manual.