Fresh and Frozen Shrimp:

Introduction:
Seafoods like shrimp undergo a series of steps in farm to fork continuum (harvesting, landing,
handling, processing) which then makes it prone to contamination.
The sanitary and safety measures especially in storage facilities and containers applied by the
food handlers will most likely influence the degree of contamination of these products.
1979 - FDA recognized the extensive problem with contamination (filth, microbial, and
decomposition) of imported shrimps from India.
However, through time, subsequent analysis of shrimp from other countries shown similar cases
of contamination to those of India. Therefore, fresh and frozen shrimps from all source of
countries were detained automatically.
Filth contributed by vertebrates and invertebrates at some point of harvesting and packaging.
Invertebrates: mites, ticks, flies, plant feeding insects, beetles
Vertebrates: feather fragments from birds, hairs from pest animals, domestic and farm animals
and humans
Methods:
-2 year nationwide survey of domestic and imported fresh and frozen shrimp was conducted.
-Imported samples: various shrimp producing countries
-Domestic sampels: local packers and manufacturers of shrimps
-A total of 356 samples were collected and filth data were obtained from 333 samples.
Objectve:
1. To develop an up-to-date contamination profile of filth contamination in shrimps in order to
evaluate the interim action levels accodingly

R & D:
Most of the physical contaminants were identified as filth insect, incidental insect, rat or mouse
hairs, and non rat or mouse hairs. (brief def)
Comparisons for the degree of filth contamination were made across the countries and specific
kinds of filth


Table 1. Percentage of Filth contamination for Countries with at least ten samples for filth analysis
COUNTRY % FILTH
INSECT
% INCIDENTAL
INSECT
% RAT OR
MOUSE HAIRS
% NON RAT
OR MOUSE
HAIRS
India 45.45 27.27 0 9
China 14.29 7.14 7.14 14.29
Indonesia 20 0 0 10
Philippines 30 20 30 50
Malaysia 23.07 7.69 23.07 46.15
United States 6.3 2.70 0.90 7.2
Brazil 26.67 6.66 0 20
Ecuador 9.30 2.33 4.65 9.30

Interpretation:
This data may imply that exports are may not be of good quality due to the contamination
present. This could be due to insufficient measures applied in harvesting and processing in order
to guarantee the quality and safety of the product.


Table 2
Table 3

Table 4


Discussion:
The FDA came up with a guideline in categorizing filth associated with insects or animals.
1. Vectors
2. Pests that indicate insanitation practices
3. Incident Pests

Moreover, the level or amount of filth present should also be considered as this will indicate the
degree of risk associated with a certain food.
Defect Action Levels
- This is established by FDA too indicate the levels of natural and unavoidable defects In food
that present no hazard to humans.
- The DALs are per food basis.

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