New Zealand Gazette – 2000 – No. 170

Page 4562

✨ Food Safety Regulations

4562 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE No. 170

Sampling plan for mercury in fish, fish products, crustacea and molluscs

(1) The methods specified in this clause are the prescribed methods for the sampling for analysis of mercury in fish, fish products, crustacea and molluscs.

(2) For the purposes of this sampling plan -

(a) A sample must consist of a prescribed number of sample units, and a sample unit must consist of a quantity, taken from the edible portions of the fish, fish products, crustacea or molluscs, sufficient for the purposes of analysis.

(b) In the lot under investigation, the number of random sample units must be as detailed in paragraphs 6(3)(a) or 6(3)(b) of this Standard.

(c) In the case of samplings where the prescribed number of sample units are not available, 5 sample units must be taken.

(3) The number of random sample units to be taken for the purposes of analysis is as follows -

(a) fish, fish products, including packaged fish -

    (i) lots up to and including 5 tonnes ... sample units from 10 fish, or 10 packages;

    (ii) lots over 5 tonnes, up to 10 tonnes ... sample units from 15 fish, or 15 packages;

    (iii) lots over 10 tonnes, up to 30 tonnes ... sample units from 20 fish, or 20 packages;

    (iv) lots over 30 tonnes, up to 100 tonnes ... sample units from 25 fish, or 25 packages;

    (v) lots over 100 tonnes, up to 200 tonnes ... sample units from 30 fish, or 30 packages;

    (vi) lots over 200 tonnes ... sample units from 40 fish, or 40 packages.

(b) crustacea, and molluscs, including packaged crustacea and molluscs -

    (i) lots up to and including 1 tonne ... 10 sample units, or 10 packages;

    (ii) lots over 1 tonne, up to 5 tonnes ... 15 sample units, or 15 packages;

    (iii) lots over 5 tonnes, up to 30 tonnes ... 20 sample units, or 20 packages;

    (iv) lots over 30 tonnes, up to 100 tonnes ... 25 sample units, or 25 packages;

    (v) lots over 100 tonnes ... 30 sample units, or 30 packages.

(4) Interpretation of the Analysis -

(a) Samples with 10 or more sample units -

    (i) if the concentration of mercury in any of the sample units is greater than 1.0 mg/kg in the case of gemfish, billfish (including marlin), southern bluefin tuna, barramundi, ling, orange roughy, rays and all species of shark, or is greater than 0.5 mg/kg in the case of crustacea, molluscs and other fish which can be sampled in accordance with this clause the overall mean of the sample units should be examined;

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