XyRex Prawnfresh is widely used throughout the UK for treating blackspot in prawns and was included in Seafish trials (November 2005) as an alternative to the use of sodium metabisulphite. Alternatives to sodium metabisulphite were investigated because sulphites can have adverse effects on workers handling the chemical and because foods with added sulphite require allergen labelling.
It was understood for these trials that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) had classified Prawnfresh as a food processing aid, that is a chemical with a technological function during processing but which leaves no harmful residue in the end product. On 21 December 2007, the FSA issued a statement informing industry that XyRex brand products are being marketed and used for decontaminating fish and fishery products in the UK. As the products are not approved by the European Commission, their use is in breach of Article 3 of EU Regulation No. 853/2004. XyRex are contesting the issue as a matter of urgency.
Seafish accept the FSA decision and, until any further notice from the FSA, the use of XyRex products for decontaminating fish and fishery products must be considered illegal.
