Canada: Newfoundland’s quality assurance program criticized in wake of Quinlan Brothers charges

The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), which represents seafood processing companies in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is calling out what it says are issues with a quality assurance program that led to charges against Bay de Verde, Newfoundland-based Quinlan Brothers. Quinlan Brothers was charged with four yet-to-be-specified offenses after inspections by the Newfoundland Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture (DFFA) allegedly discovered the company had processed dead snow crab and moved snow crab while under detention. The charges were raised under the DFFA’s quality assurance program, which has legislative authority to inspect and ensure the quality of seafood in Newfoundland. “Quality is of utmost importance in maintaining Newfoundland and Labrador’s reputation for seafood in the global market. Holding and handling conditions have a direct impact on the quality of snow crab from the time it comes out of the water until it is processed,” ...