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Asian Seafood Raised on Pig Feces Approved for U.S. Consumers

Greetings my friends. If you have ever wondered why my focus on aquaponics is a little intense, the following article goes a long way to explain. As you read this, remember the United States imports at least 85% of its seafood. This is why our work in Aquaponics is critical and more than a hobby. (IMHO)

From Bloomberg:

Asian Seafood Raised on Pig Feces Approved for U.S. Consumers

http://bloom.bg/QwEDjY

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris George on October 13, 2012 at 10:27am

Totally gross!!! Surprising that there haven't been more illnesses caused. I doubt the FDA checks every single solitary shipment into the US, maybe they do....

Permalink Reply by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on October 13, 2012 at 10:41am

That the point. They can't. They don't have the staff. They check 5 to 10% if that.

Permalink Reply by Bob Campbell on October 13, 2012 at 10:46am

Up till now I thought it was just for fun. The yuck factor just changed my mind. But if this is true, why aren't we all getting sick on shrimp and tilapia from the grocery store? It also seems like the nitrite and ammonia levels would kill the animals in these ponds.

Permalink Reply by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on October 13, 2012 at 12:25pm

Bob, just a matter of time I suppose. This is nothing new unfortunately. Food and aquaculture scientists have been yelling about it for years. It is also part of the reason behind the successful effort to get seafood labeled as to point of origin a few years back.

Over the past 20 years we have lost nearly 85% of our seafood industry to overseas competition due to their low cost of production. If through food safety improvements and cost competitive and environmentally sustainable production technologies such as urban aquaponics we can win part of it back it is all for the better. Nothing is simple however. Here is an article from Time Magazine called "End of the Line" that tells a good part of the story.

http://ti.me/qpRe10

Permalink Reply by Scott Bloom on October 13, 2012 at 5:36pm

Gee Thanks, I will never be able to eat seafood that I haven't raised again. Ya know, ignorance is bliss.

Permalink Reply by Chris George on October 13, 2012 at 8:21pm

Ditto Scott, definitely have that yucky taste in my mouth just thinking about it.... Wondering what country we import from that has a 'good' to 'great' cleanliness rating...

Permalink Reply by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on October 13, 2012 at 8:34pm

The cool thing is that we have the ability to DO something about it. Now.

Permalink Reply by Chris George on October 13, 2012 at 9:36pm

I totally agree, and I'm psyched!!

Permalink Reply by Gary Gauthun on October 13, 2012 at 10:58pm

Here is another link, mostly about China and Vietnam I got this info from Pacific Fishing Magazine.

You should never buy any food products from China, most pollock are caught in Alaska, but fillets are

processed in China, and shipped back to the USA.

Pacific Fishing Magazine.

Permalink Reply by Chris George on October 13, 2012 at 11:12pm

Not seeing the info/article about China and Vietnam in the Pacific Fishing Magazine link....am I just missing it?