Maryland State Agencies and their role in seafood safety
Seafood of the highest quality is produced by Maryland seafood
harvesters, processors, distributors and retailers who take great pride in
their products. They are licensed and inspected by State agencies, local
health departments and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to
further ensure their product’s wholesomeness.
monitors chemical contaminant levels in fish, shellfish and crabs found
in Maryland waters. This has been an ongoing activity since the early
1970’s. The MDE also monitors the bacteriological quality of the State’s
1.2 million acres of shellfish growing waters. This assures that only the
cleanest and safest areas are certified by MDE for the catching of oysters
and clams. In addition, shell stock samples may be taken directly
from the Bay and its tributaries and examined for their bacteriological
quality as an additional safeguard for the consumer.
controls licensing and inspection of seafood processors and
wholesale distributors. Shellfish and crabmeat plants are
inspected monthly to ensure safe and sanitary processing of
seafood, plant cleanliness and product temperature control.
Samples of shellfish and crabmeat are taken monthly and
analyzed for compliance with bacteriological standards. The
Department also inspects fish processing facilities and restaurants.
manages the protection, enhancement and balanced use of
the State’s natural resources for present and future generations.
It is responsible for the establishment and
implementation of regulatory programs to protect
the Bay and other natural habitats.
plays two distinct roles in assuring the consumer of
safe and wholesome seafood. The State Fish Health
Diagnostic Laboratory, under the Department of Agriculture, provides
fish health certification. The lab also tests crabmeat for an industrysponsored
voluntary quality assurance program. The Department of
Agriculture’s Weights and Measure section inspects millions of packages
annually at the wholesale and retail levels to assure that packages contain
the stated quantity of product and to identify possible product tampering.
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