SEAFOODNEWS.COM by John Sackton — Sept. 25, 2014 — A group of 15 Senators and representatives has signed a letter to the FDA, originating in the office of Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, that urges action on the petition to change the acceptable market name of Alaska Pollock.
The letter supports a request by the Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) to the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner seeking to change the legal market name from “Alaska pollock” to “pollock” to differentiate American-caught seafood from the 113 million pounds of Russian-harvested pollock bought by Americans in 2012.
The reasons for supporting the request, explained Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and Congressman Don Young, was that:
–The use of “Alaska pollock” as an acceptable market name is misleading to consumers;
–“Alaska pollock” is understood to suggest a geographic origin, and
–U.S. government programs support other efforts to provide accurate information and differentiate food products in the marketplace.
The lawmakers, representing the entire bi-partisan Alaska and Washington delegations, also said that recent actions by Russia to ban imports of US seafood was another important reason to take steps to differentiate Alaska pollock from Russian pollock for consumers. Several of the signers of the letter have also called on the Administration to instutite a ban on imports of Russian fish products into the U.S.
“Pollock harvested from Alaskan waters is of the highest quality and taste; it is sustainably managed to ensure that the resource will be there in the future for the fishermen, processors and coastal communities that depend on it,” said Senator Murkowski. “This Administration should act to counter Russian’s recent actions to harm Alaska’s seafood industry, and the FDA should take action promptly to make it easier for consumers to tell good Alaska pollock from inferior Russian product.”
Senator Mark Begich said “Alaska has set the global standard for responsible and sustainable fisheries management and we should not let Russian fishermen capitalize on Alaska’s brand. Americans shouldn’t be misled by false advertising—we deserve to know where the food on our dinner tables comes from. The Alaska delegation will continue to work closely together to make sure we protect Alaska’s brand and American consumers from false advertising by Russian fishermen.”
“This clarification makes a significant difference for our Alaskan Pollock fishery, the 2.5 billion pounds they sustainably harvest each year, and the everyday American consumer,” said Congressman Don Young. “It’s a very simple solution to a 100 million pound problem; otherwise, Russian caught Pollock will continue to be passed off as Alaskan due to a confusing market name.”
The delegations say that "FDA has the requisite authority to effect this change, and given the compelling case that has been made should act promptly.
The group sent a copy of GAPP's request directly to the Commissioner of the FDA, Dr. Margaret Hamburg to ensure it will be considered by the head of the agency, and not mired in a bureaucratic logjam.
The full list of signers includes: Senators Lisa Murkowski, Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Mark Begich and representatives Don Young, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Jaime Herrera-Beutler, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, Doc Hastings, Derek Kilmer, Jim McDermott, Dave Reichert, Adam Smith, Denny Heck.
This story originally appeared on Seafood.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.