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Mercury testing
MASI/Safe Harbor is the first rapid, large-scale mercury testing system capable of integration into any processing or distribution facility without inhibiting the normal processing and flow of products. Large fin fish (> 2 lbs) and fish known to be higher in mercury content are individually tested to ensure they fall under the published MASI/Safe Harbor threshold for that species, while smaller fish (< 2lbs) and fish known to be lower in mercury content are batch tested using an FDA approved algorithm that ensures a 96% confidence rate on all lots certified (ANSI Z 1.4-2003 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes Multiple Sampling Plan). For the first time, MASI/Safe Harbor allows for consumption of fish with the utmost confidence knowing that the product has been tested for mercury to the stringent standards developed through more than 300,000 tests globally. Our technology has been analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Italian Sanitary Authority (ISA) and shown to be as accurate or more accurate than other well-known national food labs.
Unparalleled technology
- Multi-species Mercury Analyzer generates accurate, real-time results within +/- 5% error margin and sensitive to the part-per billion. To ensure accuracy, the MASI/Safe Harbor mercury analyzer is regularly calibrated using reference materials checked against standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- Approximate 45-60 second test time and a virtually invisible test mark—50 to 70 mg sample size (comparable to a grain of rice) ensures tested products remain unharmed.
- Seamless integration into any facility and specifically tailored testing programs to fit the needs of the supplier and end customer. Our testing will not inhibit normal product flow.
- Technology is functional in nearly any testing environment from processing floors to packing rooms, in hot or cold temperatures, or in wet or dry settings.
- Capable of testing nearly any product (scallops to shark) in any format (fresh to frozen) at any volume.
- Complete synchronization with the MASI/Safe Harbor network to ensure 24-hour monitoring and 100% data retention. Reports and interface options available depending on client needs.
- Most importantly allows consumer to reap the numerous benefits of fish consumption without worry over mercury levels!
Traceability
A major concern for consumers (and in-turn suppliers, producers and distributors) is the origin of their food; food safety can vary a great deal when considering where an item is grown or produced. For this reason, the MASI/Safe Harbor Traceability System was introduced. This system allows for complete traceability of MASI/Safe Harbor certified products, from the point of origin (trace back) to the location where the product is tested and where the product went from its source (trace forward). Product-related data is provided in the form of a trace tag and corresponding 10-digit hexadecimal MASI/Safe Harbor ID number relating such information as fish species, weight (when dealing with individually-tested fin-fish >2 lbs), country of origin, and date and location where the product was certified. In addition, in some situations additional details such as vessel name and FAO data can also be provided to fully empower the client/customer with the most detailed information possible. With consumer safety and maximization of product shelf-life in mind, the end goal of the MASI/Safe Harbor Traceability System is simple: Increase supply chain management and control of the product(s) being utilized within the existing framework of YOUR specific system.
Circumvent Regulatory Hurdles
The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) stated mission is to enforce the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act and other laws which are designed to protect consumers' health, safety, and pocketbook. These laws apply equally to domestic and imported products.
By law, all seafood imported or offered for import into the United States are subject to examination by the FDA. One of the most frequently encountered FDA Import Alerts is detention of product(s) for mercury residues in excess of 1 ppm. If an imported product has been shown to contain mercury concentrations in excess of 1 ppm, the packer/shipper can be included on the FDA’s “Red List” where, depending on the product (for example, tuna, shark and swordfish all fall in this category) the FDA can recommend detention without any physical examination (DWPE) pursuant to Section 801(a)(3).
Adoption of the MASI/Safe Harbor Plant Certification Program will ensure the importer can directly circumvent any FDA detention of product due to mercury concentrations in excess of 1.0 ppm. Under this program, MASI/Safe Harbor guarantees all imports, regardless of the product, will not be detained for excess mercury concentrations because the product will be tested and screened by MASI/Safe Harbor mitigating any FDA action at the port of import. Quite simply, we can keep your company off the “Red List” and keep your perishable imports from being detained coming into the U.S., thereby saving resources, time and the headache of knowing whether or not your product will reach its intended destination.