Pollock Producers have a good case to make to the FDA on renaming Alaska Pollock (Editorial Comment)
Earlier this month, the Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) filed a formal request with the FDA to change the acceptable market name of ‘alaska pollock’ to simply ‘pollock’.
This would be consistent with 98% of FDA practice in establishing market names for fish species, where the FDA tries to avoid a geographic designation wherever possible.
Although the request happened to coincide with the Russian ban on US seafood imports and subsequent calls for the US to retaliate by banning Russian products, the actual issue has been developing for a long time before this.
GAPP has been working with the FDA for more than a year on this issue.
The fact that the current name Alaska pollock is a problem is illustrated just by the name of the organization - Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers. Instead of calling themselves Alaska pollock producers, this industry marketing group representing Alaska pollock to nutritionists, school lunch programs, buyers and media had to incorporate the name “Genuine” to avoid consumer confusion.
Alaska Pollock is one of the most widely consumed fish in the United States. In 2012 it was the fifth most consumed fish, behind shrimp, tuna, salmon, and tilapia. Pollock accounted for 11% of all US fresh and frozen fish consumption.
But unlike the other four species mentioned, pollock is mostly consumed as a prepared or processed product. McDonalds, Burger King, and other quick serve restaurants use pollock for their fish sandwiches. Pollock also is sold at retail by High Liner, Gorton’s, Mrs. Paul’s and other major brands for prepared ready to bake or microwave products, ready meals, and frozen grilled products.
So most Americans see pollock as an ingredient...
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