Mandatory Inspection List Parameters

The graphic illustrates the parameters which are used to describe product rejections on the MIL and to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports presenting the same risk. The graphic describes these parameters as they apply to first the inspection activities relating to species risks and then to the inspection activities relating to processing risks.

In the case where a producer is listed on the MIL for a species related risk, all subsequent imports of fish products within the same species risk group, from that producer, are subject to mandatory inspection for the test listed on the MIL. Where appropriate, the MIL may be restricted to a specific species using the species scientific name or to a type of fish using the common name. An example of a common name is "shrimp" which is used for all species of shrimp.

For the inspection activities relating to species risks, the Mandatory Inspection List (MIL) parameters are described for the following 5 groups of tests (Task Types).

1) Aquaculture drugs/therapeutants:
When a product fails for an aquaculture drug/therapeutant, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the drug/therapeutant test which failed: the producer, the production source "Farmed", the farmed species risk group and the product form of the product which failed. The product processing category/processing risk group does not apply in this case.

2) Contaminants/heavy metal:
When a product fails for an environmental contaminant or heavy metal, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the contaminant/heavy metal test which failed, the producer, the production source "Wild", the species risk group and product form of the product which failed. The product processing category/processing risk group do not apply in this case.

3) Spoilage Indicator (Histamine):
When a product fails for Histamine, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the test ¨Histamine¨, the producer, the species risk group and product form of the product which failed. The product processing category/processing risk group and production source do not apply in this case.

4) Marine Toxins:
When a product fails for a Marine Toxin, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the marine toxin test which failed, the producer, the species risk group and product form of the product which failed. The product processing category/processing risk group and production source do not apply in this case.

5) Other Species Tests:
When a product fails for other tests related to a species risk, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the test which failed, the producer, the species name and the product form. The product category/processing risk group and production source do not apply in this case.

For inspection activities relating to processing risks, the Mandatory Inspection List (MIL) parameters are described for the following 7 groups of tests (Task Types).

1) Microbiological tests (Micro)
When a product fails for a food pathogen, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the pathogen which failed, the producer and the product processing category at the level of the processing risk group. The species risk group, production source and product form do not apply in this case.

2) Safety Parameters (water activity, pH, % salt)
When a product fails for inadequate safety parameters, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the test type "safety parameters, the producer and product processing category at the level of the processing risk group. The species risk group, production source and product form do not apply in this case.

3) Additives
When a product fails for the presence of non-permitted additives or additives exceed permitted levels, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the additive which failed, the producer and the product category at the level of the processing risk group. The species risk group, production source and product form do not apply in this case.

4) Sensory and Net Weight
When a product fails for sensory or net weight, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the test which failed, the producer and the product processing category. The species risk group, production source and product form do not apply in this case.

5) Label Infractions
When a product fails for Critical Label infraction (Health and Safety or Misrepresentation), the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the test ¨Label¨, the producer, the product processing category at the level of the processing risk group, the product form and the¨Brand¨. The species risk group, production source and the product form do not apply in this case.

6) Species Identification (Electrophoresis)
When a product fails for electrophoresis, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the test "electrophoresis", the producer, the product processing category and the species name. The production method and product form do not apply in this case.

7) Package tests (container integrity; package integrity; can coding)
When a product fails for a package test, the following parameters are described on the MIL and are used to trigger the mandatory inspection of subsequent imports which may present the same risk: the package test which failed, the producer, the processing risk group and the container type. The species risk group, production method and product form do not apply in this case.