Monday, August 02, 2010

FDA News Release - Florida Seafood

Below is the statement released today by Margaret A. Hamburg, Commissioner of Food and Drugs, on the Reopening of Florida State Waters to Commercial Fishing:

We are pleased to be able to support the state of Florida as it reopens state waters off Pensacola to commercial fishing. Through close coordination with our state and federal partners, we are confident all appropriate steps have been taken to ensure that seafood harvested from the waters being opened today is safe and that Gulf seafood lovers everywhere can be confident eating and enjoying the fish that will be coming out of this area.

I have heard first-hand from commercial fishermen and seafood processors about not only the importance of getting back to their livelihoods, but also their commitment to protecting the health of their customers and making sure consumers have the most up-to-date and accurate information available.

The fishermen and processors in the Gulf want to know that all of the proper protocols and testing methods were used to ensure that the seafood is safe. FDA is supporting Florida in this reopening as it is clear that all the proper protocol and methods were indeed followed.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners in all of the Gulf states to reopen affected waters as quickly and safely as possible.

4 comments:

atjason said...

Regardless of what the FDA lab tests show I would not consume seafood from any part of the Gulf of Mexico anytime soon, it's completely foolish, just like getting in the gulf.

BP & the media act like just because the oil is out of sight below the water that everything is magically alright and life can go back to normal.

I personally do not buy this and watch and see people turn up ill from consumption of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico!

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

I have to say that I do agree with JR, this kind of pollution just doesn't go away like that.

BaysideLife said...

And sadly I too agree with both your viewers. It really is too soon to tell the real effects of the oil and dispersents on the water and the marine life. After all, where did all those millions of oil go? Out of sight out of mind may be a dangerous attitude for all of us to take.

PJ said...

DJ, you're at ground zero here, you really should network your blog on FB if you haven't already.