Fisheries and Aquaculture
November 2, 2012
Funding Announced to Develop Newfoundland and Labrador Seafood Nutritional Information Package
The Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador will develop a seafood nutritional information package with financial support of $46,150 from the Provincial Government. The initiative will be completed by March 31, 2013.
“Consumers around the world demand accurate nutritional information on the food they consume more so today than ever before, whether its seafood or any other consumable product on the market,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “This initiative will enable seafood producers to accurately document the nutritional value of their product, and provide consumers the ability to compare seafood over alternative products such as beef or poultry. Additionally, smaller processors who would not otherwise have the ability to acquire such information on their own will have free access to it once completed.”
The Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador, with the assistance of a seafood consulting firm, will work with an accredited lab to determine the correct nutritional values for the province’s key seafood species. Approximately 30 product forms will be sampled.
“Correctly noting the nutritional value of our province’s seafood will without question have enormous marketing potential for the industry,” said George Joyce, Executive Director of the Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador. “We are pleased that the Provincial Government has come on board to partner with our organization in the development of the nutritional information package which will ultimately benefit every seafood processor in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The information will be made available to members of the Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador and all other industry participants who wish to use it on their packaging and in promotional materials.
The funding for the project is provided through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. Budget 2012: People and Prosperity allocated $2.2 million for the program, as part of a three-year, $6.6 million investment.
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Media contacts:
Bradley Power Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-5707 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
George Joyce Executive Director Seafood Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-689-0923 gjoyce@nf.sympatico.ca |
2012 11 02 10:15 a.m.