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Shellfish Sanitation Program

On December 4, 2008 Michigan received federal approval from the Food and Drug Administration to be a regulatory auditor for Michigan shellfish processors and shippers. Michigan is now a registered participating state with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP). NSSP is an FDA program designed to prevent human illness associated with the consumption of fresh and frozen shellfish through the establishment of sanitary controls over all phases of the growing, harvesting, shucking, packing and distribution of fresh and frozen shellfish. Shellfish in this program include fresh and fresh-frozen oysters, clams, mussels and scallops.

In addition to being part of the NSSP, Michigan is now included in the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC). ISSC was formed to promote shellfish sanitation through the cooperation of state and federal control agencies, the shellfish industry, and academia. ISSC also improves the uniformity of state shellfish sanitation programs under the NSSP.

To be approved for interstate shellfish shipping, Michigan firms must successfully complete an audit conducted by Michigan's Shellfish Sanitation Officer and receive a certification number. Certification is provided free of charge by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to Michigan firms.

Contact Information

Firms interested in getting certified may contact Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Shellfish Sanitation Officer Casey Wagner or Kevin Halfmann, Policy Specialist, for more information.

Additional Information