FDA Seeks Input on Safer Fish Processing Rules
Published Date: 2/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The FDA wants your thoughts on how they collect info about safely processing and importing fish and seafood. This affects businesses that handle fish products, aiming to keep seafood safe and clean. You’ve got until April 20, 2026, to share your comments—no fees, just your voice helping shape safer seafood rules!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated 1.93M annual recordkeeping hours
FDA estimates the annual recordkeeping burden for part 123 at 1,930,264 total hours. Major line items include 1,260,000 hours for documenting monitoring of critical control points, 420,000 hours for sanitation records, 70,500 hours for calibration and testing records, and 65,600 hours for import verification records.
Seafood processors must keep HACCP records
If you operate a seafood processing business, you must collect and keep HACCP records under 21 CFR part 123. Records include monitoring values (times, temperatures, acidity), corrective actions, calibration, and sanitation logs, and they are normally reviewed at the end of a production lot, day, or week to verify control limits.
Importers must verify and document compliance
If you import fish or fishery products, Sec. 123.12 requires you to take affirmative steps and maintain records verifying that imports were processed in accordance with HACCP and sanitation provisions, and make those records available for FDA review as provided in Sec. 123.12(c).
No capital or O&M costs claimed
FDA states there are no capital costs or operating and maintenance (O&M) costs associated with this information collection (OMB Control Number 0910-0354).
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Key Dates
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