Pew Environment Group Releases FDA Documents on Chilean Salmon Farms

The Pew Environment Group has released documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) faulted three Chilean salmon farming companies, “including the two largest producers of farmed salmon,” for using a number of drugs not approved by the U.S. government. FDA inspections apparently uncovered use of the antibiotics flumequine and oxolinic acid and the pesticide emamectin benzoate, as well as trace residues in products intended for the U.S. consumers. The agency then informed the Chilean companies that, “if the drug is not listed in the approved drug list . . .  they are not allowed to use the drug to treat salmon destined for distribution in the U.S., not even if they meet withdrawal periods and no tissue residue can be detected.”

The Pew Environment Group applauded the FDA stance, but urged the agency to enforce its standards abroad. “Standards and enforcement should be the same for Chile as they are for China,” stated Andrea Kavanagh, manager of the Salmon Aquaculture Reform Campaign at the Pew Environment Group. “If the Chilean companies do not comply with instructions to stop using these chemicals then the FDA should consider taking similar action as it did with China.” See The Pew Charitable Trusts Press Release, February 5, 2009.