The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), Office of Food Safety (OFS) is announcing its intent to award a cooperative agreement renewal for continued support to FDA’s molluscan shellfish sanitation program and to provide the public greater assurance

credit:

of the quality and safety of these products.Molluscan shellfish have been recognized by FDA as a significant source of seafood-borne illnesses and continue to be the subject of congressional, state, industry, and public concern.

FDA has given high priority to enhance the agency's shellfish safety program and to provide the public greater assurance of the quality and safety of these products.

FDA administers the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP).

Under that program, the NSSP Model Ordinance serves as guidance for State shellfish sanitation programs and the promulgation of state regulations and laws concerning shellfish safety.

This cooperative agreement will enhance FDA efforts to help ensure that shellfish are free of harmful pathogens.