Export Packers Supplies Safe Harbor® Certified Seafood

FIS Canada
(CANADA, 2/28/2010)

Export Packers Company Limited has obtained exclusive rights to supply seafood under the Safe Harbor® mercury certification program which will enable the company to supply the Canadian market with seafood that is tested and certified assuring that mercury levels are significantly below food safety standards specified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).


Safe Harbor’s proprietary technology analysis makes it possible to quickly and accurately test any fish species for low-mercury levels and apply its certification to ensure high quality, healthy seafood.

“When it comes to screening for mercury levels in fish under current government standards a very small percentage of fish is tested”, states Dan LeBlanc, President, Export Packers. “Without more wide-spread testing, there is little assurance that any particular fish has actually been tested and would meet current government standards. This partnership makes Export Packers the first Canadian seafood importer to be able to verify quickly and accurately that maximum mercury concentration levels as specified by CFIA for each species are not exceeded.”


Malcom Wittenberg, second from left 
“We are very excited to partner with Export Packers to supply the Canadian market with healthy seafood”, said Malcolm Wittenberg, CEO, Safe Harbor®. “Mercury exists in all fish and can vary significantly, even within species that are not typically thought of as potentially hazardous. Our Safe Harbor® program eliminates any uncertainty by ensuring fish that is tested and certified meets the highest standards for mercury safety and quality.”

Safe Harbor's mission is to ensure the highest quality, healthiest seafood is delivered to consumers while striving to source products from sustainable and eco-friendly fisheries. Through the testing and traceability program, the Safe Harbor seal empowers consumers by providing otherwise unknown information regarding fish origin, fishing method and maximum mercury levels for each species. Safe Harbor Certification eliminates any consumer guesswork by certifying that each fish tested has mercury levels well below the FDA limit.

About Safe Harbor® 

Safe Harbor® certification – the first venture of Micro Analytical Systems, Inc. (MASI) – is the only process for fast, large-scale mercury testing of seafood, enabling processing plants and distributors to identify that the mercury content of fish is below government standards. Founded in 2002, MASI conducts tests in plants and distribution centers worldwide, with Safe Harbor® branded seafood sold at leading retailers and restaurants throughout North America.

About Export Packers

Headquartered in Brampton, Ontario and founded in 1937, Export Packers is one of the largest privately owned food companies in Canada. It is an international importer and exporter of various food commodities and does business with over 70 countries. Among its many operating segments is the Canadian Seafood business which markets a wide assortment of both domestic and imported seafood to retailers and food service distributors across Canada under its proprietary Ocean Jewel brand as well as under private label and various other exclusive brands.