Vendors selling live lobster roadside will be required to have a food permit similar to other lobster vendors. Traditional direct sales from fishing boats are exempt.
"The Health Protection Act states that vendors selling food must have a permit," said Ron Chisholm, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Food permits ensure live lobster is safely tracked, transported and stored."
Permit holders will also be required to keep records on their selling activity and present them to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture when requested. Seafood buyers are required to keep daily records, and must report buying and selling of certain species weekly to the department.
Sellers may only sell live lobster. The permit does not allow for the sale of cooked lobster.
Permits and mandatory reporting are consistent with other jurisdictions and will result in a fair and equitable business environment for all live lobster sellers.
"Our food safety system is set up to protect consumers," said Mike Horwich, director of food protection at the Department of Agriculture. "We strive for food safety standards which are applied equally to all in the industry, from the start of food's journey all the way to the consumer."
Province Cracks Down on Live Lobster Safety
CANADA - The province of Novia Scotia is launching improved food safety standards for roadside points of sale of lobster.
