How to inspect aquatic products and seafood? Inspection, factory inspection, and certification services

How to inspect aquatic products and seafood? Inspection, factory inspection, and certification services

Aquatic products, as an important category of food, their quality and safety directly affect the health of consumers. During the inspection, factory verification, and product inspection and certification processes of aquatic products, a strict quality control system must be established. This article will systematically elaborate on the inspection standards, testing methods, and quality certification requirements for aquatic products, providing professional guidance for relevant practitioners. 
I. Sensory Inspection Certification of Aquatic Product Quality
(1) Legal and Regulatory Basis
Domestic regulations require 
The Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that food should be free from toxicity and harmfulness. 
Prohibit the production and operation of food that is spoiled or has abnormal sensory properties. 
Sensory indicators are the primary content of food quality standards. 
International certification standards 
EU Regulation EC No 852/2004, 853/2004, 854/2004 
Require processing enterprises to conduct sensory inspections 
The official agency conducts a full-process random sensory inspection. 
(2) Sensory inspection method certification
Visual inspection certification 
Inspection site: Special sensory inspection area 
Key points of inspection: appearance, color, and integrity 
Certification standards: Surface glossiness, color uniformity 
Olfactory inspection certification 
Sensitivity requirement: Detect minor spoilage and deterioration 
Environmental control: Smoking is prohibited before the test. 
Abnormality identification: Odor of rancidity such as rancid smell 
Taste test certification 
Distinguishing ability: Capable of perceiving subtle changes with sensitivity. 
Test sequence: Conducted under safety conditions 
Record requirements: Provide a detailed description of the flavor characteristics 
Tactile inspection certification 
Test items: Hardness, elasticity, consistency 
Application example: Judging the freshness of fish meat by its muscle hardness 
Operation Specification: Standardized Touching Method 
(3) Sensory Inspection Certification Principles
Compliance with Laws and Regulations 
Based mainly on food safety regulations 
In accordance with the relevant regulations of the health administrative department 
Safety determination criteria 
Clearly, spoiled or deteriorated products must not be consumed. 
Refuse to accept if the levels of toxic and harmful substances exceed the standards. 
Qualification certification for inspection personnel 
In good health and without any bad habits. 
Sensitive to sensations and highly experienced 
Solid professional knowledge 
II. Fish Species Quality Inspection and Certification Process
(1) Pre-inspection Preparation and Certification
Inspection Equipment Requirements 
Special storage boxes, white porcelain basins 
Micrometer caliper (accuracy 0.1 cm) 
Electronic balance (accuracy 0.1g) 
Personnel allocation certification 
Inspector: Actual operation inspection 
Recorder: Record the data in detail 
(2) Sampling Inspection Certification
Sampling Scheme Certification 
Random sampling: ≥ 100 individuals 
Sample extraction: ≥ 30 fish 
Random sampling to ensure representativeness 
Appearance inspection certification 
Body color: In line with the characteristics of the breed 
Body surface: The scales are intact and the mucus is normal. 
Texture: Smooth without any abnormalities 
(3) Vitality Inspection Certification
Mobility Test 
Water temperature control: Temperature difference ≤ ±3℃ 
Testing method: Observe while swimming against the current 
Judgment criteria: Capable of continuously swimming against the current 
Health assessment certification 
Abnormality rate calculation: Abnormal tail count / Total sample count 
Injury rate calculation: Number of injured animals / Total number of samples 
Incidence rate calculation: Number of diseased fish / Total number of samples 
(4) Specification Measurement Certification
Length Measurement Certification 
Measurement item: Total length (accurate to 0.1 cm) 
Calculation method: Sum of measured values / Number of measurements 
Result expression: Average total length 
Weight measurement certification 
Operation requirements: Remove the water adhering to the body surface 
Weighing accuracy: 0.1g 
Calculation result: Average weight 
III. Certification Standards for Seafood Products
(1) Freshness Inspection Certification
Fish freshness certification 
Eyes: Full and transparent, with clear corneas 
Gill area: Bright red, with transparent mucus. 
Muscle: Firm and elastic, not detached from the bone 
Surface: Lustrous, with transparent mucus 
Crustacean inspection and certification 
Shrimp: The cephalothorax is closely connected to the body segments. 
Crabs: The walking legs are closely connected to the body. 
Shellfish: Shells are tightly closed, and they are highly responsive. 
(2) Physical and Chemical Index Certification
Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N) 
Fish: ≤ 30mg/100g 
Crustaceans: ≤ 25mg/100g 
Shellfish: ≤ 15mg/100g 
Histamine content certification 
Salmon, mackerel and other fish with pink skin and red flesh: ≤ 100mg/100g 
Other fish: ≤ 50mg/100g 
(III) Microbial Indicator Certification
Total Colony Count 
Fresh product: ≤ 10⁵ CFU/g 
Ready-to-eat products: ≤ 10⁴ CFU/g 
Pathogenic bacteria detection 
Salmonella: Not detected 
Golden Staphylococcus: ≤ 100 CFU/g 
Vibrio parahaemolyticus: ≤ 100 MPN/g 
IV. Inspection and Certification Process Management
(1) Document Review and Certification
Qualification Document Verification 
Aquaculture/Fishing Permit 
Transportation Vehicle Registration Certificate 
Quarantine Certificate 
Review of the record files 
Purchase Inspection Record 
Storage temperature record 
Sales ledger records 
(2) On-site inspection and certification
Environmental inspection 
Storage temperature: 0 - 4℃ 
Environmental hygiene: Clean and pollution-free 
Facilities and equipment: Operating normally 
Product inspection 
Packaging integrity 
Label standardization 
Expiry date validity 
(III) Laboratory Testing Certification
Rapid Detection Items 
pH value measurement 
Freshness test strip test 
Temperature measurement 
Precise analysis of the project 
Determination of TVB-N content 
Heavy metal detection 
Pesticide residue analysis 
V. Quality Evaluation and Certification Conclusion
(1) Criteria for Qualified Certification
Sensory indicators 
All meet the freshness requirements. 
No abnormal odor or taste 
In good condition with no damage to the form. 
Physical and Chemical Indicators

TVB-N content meets the standard 
Histamine content is within the acceptable range. 
The heavy metal content is within the standard. 
(2) Non-conformity Handling
Immediate Rejection Situations 
Clearly rotten and deteriorated 
Detection of pathogenic bacteria 
Excessive toxic substances 
Restrictions on Usage Situations 
Some of the indicators are slightly below the standard. 
It can meet the requirements after processing. 
Clearly define the scope of application 
By establishing a complete inspection and certification system for aquatic products and strictly implementing quality control throughout the entire process from the source to sales, it is possible to effectively ensure the safety of aquatic product quality, provide consumers with fresh and safe aquatic products, and at the same time promote the standardized development of the aquatic product industry.

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