Shrimp is the most widely consumed seafood in the U. S. Yet for American consumers, responsibly produced shrimp is difficult to find.
India is one of the biggest producers of farmed shrimp and one of the biggest exporters to the U.S. because of this. S. Swan Marine says that all of its shrimp will be certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) by 2020. India supplied about 332 percent of America’s farmed shrimp imports in 2017, making it the main source of farmed shrimp in the U.S. S.
“ASC is the most reliable certification for farmed seafood,” said Blake Harris, who is in charge of the aquaculture program for the World Wildlife Fund. Just a few years ago, there were no certified farms. Now, one of India’s biggest producers is committing all of its production to ASC certification. Falcon Marine’s promise is a big step forward that should encourage people who make and process goods in India, Southeast Asia, and markets all over the world to also get ASC certification. ”.
For farms to get ASC certification, they have to deal with a number of social and environmental problems, such as water pollution, the spread of disease, the loss of habitats and biodiversity, and workers’ and communities’ rights. It also talks about the use of antibiotics, which can cause drug-resistant bacteria to grow and threaten both human health and biodiversity. ASC-certified shrimp cannot be treated with antibiotics or given feed containing medicine.
Falcon Marine wants to accomplish its 202020 goal of producing 100% ASC-certified shrimp by involving all of its shrimp farms in aquaculture improvement projects with clear timelines for meeting the ASC standard. Fish farms can get ASC certification step by step with the help of aquaculture improvement projects. These projects are funded by buyers and NGOs such as Falcon Marine and WWF.
“I am delighted to welcome Falcon Marine to the ASC program,” said Marcos Moya, ASC’s commercial outreach manager. They are committed to producing 100% ASC-certified shrimp, which shows that they understand the growing demand for responsibly farmed shrimp around the world. Thank you to Falcon Marine for being a leader in supporting responsible shrimp aquaculture. I look forward to working with them to reach their goal. ”.
For farm-raised seafood, WWF supports the ASC as the world’s leading certification program. This independent, global non-profit organization manages standards of responsible farming of several key aquaculture species. The ASC standard has indicators based on both environmental and social metrics. It also requires certified products to be able to be tracked back to the farm, which is checked by third-party auditors.
Wildlife Watch works with businesses and their supply chains to help source farms become more responsible so that more ASC-certified seafood can be sold. This transformation is executed through a phased approach that includes aquaculture improvement projects. WWF will be working with Falcon Marine to put in place farm-level practices that will lead to ASC certification for 100% of their farmed shrimp supply (2010).
Shrimp is one of the most popular seafoods around the world. With its sweet, succulent meat and versatility in recipes, it’s easy to see why shrimp is so well-loved. India is one of the major exporters of shrimp, providing over 30% of the shrimp consumed globally. But there have been some concerns in recent years over the safety of eating shrimp from India. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at shrimp farming in India and discuss if Indian shrimp is safe for consumption.
The Rise of Indian Shrimp Exports
India has a long coastline of over 7,500 km, making it ideal for shrimp farming Shrimp aquaculture began in India in the 1970s and has grown exponentially since then Today, India is the largest producer of farmed shrimp in the world, with over 600,000 metric tons produced annually. The majority of this is exported, with the top destinations being the United States, Europe, Japan, China and the Middle East.
Several factors have led to the boom in Indian shrimp farming
- Favorable climate and geography for building shrimp ponds along the coasts
- Low labor costs compared to other major producers like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia
- Support from the Indian government through subsidies and promotion of exports
- High demand from importers seeking cheaper sources of shrimp
The farmed shrimp industry employs over 1 million Indians, especially in rural coastal communities. It has become an important engine of socio-economic growth in these areas. However, the rapid expansion of shrimp farming has also raised concerns about sustainability and food safety.
Problems with Indian Shrimp Farming
Most farmed shrimp in India is the black tiger shrimp species. They are raised in brackish water ponds along the coasts of states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and West Bengal.
Some of the main problems that have emerged with Indian shrimp farming practices are:
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Pollution – Shrimp pond effluents containing excess feed, antibiotics and chemical residues often pollute coastal waters. This impacts local fishing and communities.
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Disease outbreaks – Intensive farming leads to viral diseases that have decimated shrimp crops. There were major outbreaks in 2009 and 2019.
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Overuse of antibiotics – To control diseases, many farmers use antibiotics like chloramphenicol and nitrofurans which are banned for aquaculture in the US and EU.
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Food safety issues – The presence of antibiotic residues, heavy metals and microbes has led to import bans from major markets.
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Loss of mangroves – Mangrove forests have been cleared to construct shrimp ponds, causing habitat loss and coastal erosion.
These problems highlight the need for better regulation and adoption of sustainable farming practices if the Indian shrimp industry wants to succeed in the long run.
Is Shrimp from India Safe to Eat?
The use of banned antibiotics and incidences of contamination has certainly damaged the reputation of Indian shrimp. However, with increasing awareness and right measures, the situation is improving. Here’s a look at the food safety issues and controls:
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The US FDA tests Indian shrimp imports for drug residues and pathogens. Shipments found in violation are rejected to ensure unsafe products don’t reach consumers.
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The EU has stricter standards, and India has lost its export approval a few times due to presence of antibiotics. This has pushed the Indian industry to improve its practices.
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The Indian government has established testing laboratories, aquaculture development authorities and regulations against antibiotic use. Compliance is not uniform but regulatory action is increasing.
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Leading exporters have started following better management practices to control disease and residue issues. Certifications like BAP and Global G.A.P vouch for quality assurance.
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New farming methods like biofloc technology and probiotics reduce disease risk in a sustainable way compared to antibiotics. Their adoption is increasing.
So while concerns remain, there has been progression towards safer and eco-friendlier shrimp farming in India. With more awareness among consumers and tighter regulations, the practices are bound to improve further.
How to Choose Safe Indian Shrimp
When buying Indian shrimp, here are some tips to get the safest and high quality options:
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Look for sustainability certifications like Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) or Global G.A.P. This ensures the shrimp has been farmed responsibly.
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Check for processing plant audits – US FDA registered, EU approved and BRC certified processing units follow stringent quality protocols.
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Buy packaged branded shrimp – Reputable brands test for antibiotic residues and microbial checks at accredited labs.
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Choose organically certified – India has several certified organic shrimp brands that are chemical-free.
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Opt for wild-caught Indian shrimp – Less likely to have contaminant issues compared to farmed varieties.
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Clean, devein and cook thoroughly – Proper handling and cooking helps get rid of any bacteria present.
While Indian farmed shrimp has faced valid food safety concerns in the past, it is getting safer with improving farming practices and regulation. But it’s still advisable to be cautious and selective when purchasing. With rising awareness and consumer demand, the quality can only get better in the future. So the answer on whether Indian shrimp is safe to eat is a qualified yes, provided you choose wisely.
AP documents grueling conditions in Indian shrimp industry
Is shrimp farming in India a bad thing?
More recently, investigative reporting from The Outlaw Ocean Project offered a damning look at shrimp farming in India, the biggest shrimp importer to the United States, that raised concerns not just about labor practices, but also banned antibiotics and environmental damage.
Is shrimp healthy or harmful to health?
Shrimp is a versatile healthy high-protein food option. Shrimp contains moderate amounts of vitamin B12 and selenium while also being low in saturated fat. The concentration of cholesterol in shrimp may present an issue for individuals with type 2 diabetes or those with already unhealthy lipid profiles, but only likely if consumed in excess and in the context of an already unhealthy dietary pattern. Individuals with an allergy to shellfish should avoid shrimp altogether. Long term personal health partly depends on the ongoing health of the environment through sustainable action. Individuals concerned about consuming sustainable shrimp can look for the blue Marine Stewardship Council(MSC) certified stamp on the label.
Are Indian farmed shrimp exporters defending the safety of their shrimp?
Indian farmed shrimp exporters are defending the safety of their shrimp after a European report called attention to banned antibiotics.
Where do shrimp go from India?
From India, the shrimp travels by the ton, frozen in shipping containers, to the U.S., more than 8,000 miles away. It is nearly impossible to tell where a specific shrimp ends up, and whether a U.S.-bound shipment has a connection to abusive labor practices.