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on their product, and to receive certification that their 

 facilities and products meet specific standards. 



NOAA began offering its HACCP-based voluntary inspection 

 service in 1992, in response to the NAS report and after a series 

 of nationwide meetings with inspection participants on how best 

 to implement HACCP. As of May 1993, five firms are using this 

 service. There are 15 other firms presently in various stages of 

 development of their HACCP plans. 



During 1992 NOAA's inspection program covered approximately 

 995 million pounds of fishery products, including products in 

 domestic commerce as well as products inspected and certified for 

 export trade. NOAA's program accounted for about 2 2 percent of 

 seafood products consumed domestically. An average of 240 plants 

 participated in some manner in the program through April 1993. 

 Facilities and product inspections were conducted by 

 approximately 235 NOAA inspectors augmented by the services of 

 cross licensed state and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

 inspectors. NOAA has cooperative agreements with 14 states and 

 cross utilization agreements with five major inspection 

 components of USDA. 



NOAA conducts product safety and quality research in many of 

 the areas covered by the NAS recommendations, including ways to 

 address the impact on consumers and the fishing industry of 



