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  5. Shellfish Programs & Shippers List
  1. Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Cooperative Human Food Programs

Shellfish Programs & Shippers List

National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP)

The National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) is the federal and state cooperative program recognized by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) for the sanitary control of shellfish produced and sold for human consumption. The purpose of the NSSP is to promote public health protection and improve the sanitation of bivalve molluscan shellfish moving in interstate commerce through federal and state cooperation and uniformity of state shellfish programs. Participants in the NSSP include agencies from shellfish producing and non-producing states, the FDA, the EPA, the NOAA, and the shellfish industry. Under international agreements with the FDA, foreign governments also participate in the NSSP.

Through the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), FDA and other federal agencies including state regulatory agencies, tribes, academia, and the shellfish industry work together in a cooperative program to keep molluscan shellfish safe for consumption by adhering to strict controls on their growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, and transport.

The cooperative program has four components to help keep contaminated molluscan shellfish out of the marketplace:

  • Classifying and monitoring shellfish growing areas based on potential pollution sources, water quality, and other factors that indicate suitability for harvest including pre-harvest Vibrio control.
  • Inspecting facilities that handle shellfish to ensure the use of proper sanitary measures and adequate post harvest Vibrio control.
  • Patrolling closed or prohibited waters to deter illegal harvesting.
  • Conducting laboratory testing and analysis of shellfish and water samples.

Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC)

The ISSC was formed in 1982 to foster and promote shellfish sanitation through the cooperation of state and federal regulatory agencies, the shellfish industry, and the academic community. FDA has a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ISSC that outlines each other's responsibilities.

Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL)

The Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List (ICSSL) is published monthly for the information and use by food control officials, seafood industry and other interested persons. The publication is distributed under authorities of the Public Health Service Act and the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by the FDA.

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