Rich Products Corporation's Brownsville manufacturing plant recently earned "Best Aquaculture Practices" (BAP) certification by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA). The Brownsville plant produces a large majority of Rich's seafood products distributed by SeaPak Shrimp and Seafood Co.
The BAP certification standards were developed by the GAA, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that encourages the use of responsible aquaculture practices. The BAP certification program is voluntary for aquaculture facilities, and the BAP standards for seafood processing plants are among the most comprehensive certification systems. SeaPak's Brownsville plant achieved BAP certification to process shrimp and tilapia, which are the aquaculture products handled at the facility.
"Our Brownsville plant produces 85 percent of our seafood items, so we take great pride in this certification," said Eddie De La Rosa, plant manager at the Brownsville manufacturing facility. "It's wonderful to be recognized by the seafood industry's leading aquaculture certification program for the things we do to provide safe, high-quality seafood."
The BAP certification standards define the most important elements of responsible aquaculture and provide quantitative guidelines for evaluating adherence to those practices.
"Compliance with BAP standards requires program participants to comprehensively address environmental and social responsibility, as well as animal welfare, food safety and traceability throughout their operations," said BAP vice president of development Peter Redmond.
Since 1948, SeaPak has used strict quality, sourcing and sustainability standards for its products, including a commitment to source only from suppliers whose practices limit negative environmental impact. Currently, 100 percent of SeaPak's aquaculture products come from BAP-certified sources and are made using best aquaculture practices.
For more information, visit www.SeaPak.com.