Peru has enhanced fish and seafood safety regulations through updated sanitary and inocuidad frameworks, including new requirements for aquaculture and processing activities.
Peru Tightens Safety Rules for Fish and Seafood
New health controls now apply to specific imported fish products.
What changed
Sanitary surveillance expanded to cover specific fish products under HS codes 030289, 030391, and 030311.
Mandatory health controls established for all hydrobiological resources by Supreme Decree.
Food safety regulations updated to include new provisions for fish, meat, and milk.
Who it affects
Importers of specific fish must meet new sanitary surveillance requirements.
Fish and seafood processors must align with updated national health standards.
Aquaculture operators are now covered by the expanded safety framework.
Compliance Answer: Peru’s Updated Fish and Seafood Safety Regulations
Peru has strengthened its fish and seafood safety framework through recent sanitary and inocuidad (safety) regulations governing aquaculture and processing activities. The key regulations include:
- Supreme Decree approving the Sectoral Regulation on the Safety of Fishing and Aquaculture Activities (hereafter, Sectoral Inocuidad Regulation)1,
- Supreme Decree No. 027-2021-PRODUCE approving health regulations for hydrobiological resources2, and
- A draft amendment to the Sectoral Inocuidad Regulation3.
These regulations align with Codex Alimentarius standards and impose obligations across the production chain, from aquaculture to processing.
Regulation Analysis
1. Scope and Covered Products
The regulations apply to:
- Hydrobiological resources and products (e.g., finfish, shellfish, fish oils)1, 3.
- Feed and veterinary products used in aquaculture1, 3.
- All stages of the production chain, including fishing, aquaculture, processing, storage, and distribution1.
2. Key Requirements
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sectoral Inocuidad Regulation (Supreme Decree 020-2022-PRODUCE)1 | Establishes sanitary requirements for fishing/aquaculture activities, including hygiene, traceability, and hazard control1. Aligns with Codex standards (e.g., CAC/RCP 1-1969, CAC/RCP 52-2003)1. | Enters into force 180 calendar days after publication in El Peruano1. | SANIPES (National Fisheries Health Service)1. |
| Health Regulations for Hydrobiological Resources (Supreme Decree 027-2021-PRODUCE)2 | Mandates health controls for hydrobiological resources, including disease monitoring and sanitary certificates2. | Effective 9 June 2022 (180 days post-publication)2. | SANIPES2. |
| Draft Amendment to Sectoral Inocuidad Regulation3 | Facilitates implementation of the Sectoral Inocuidad Regulation by clarifying procedures for registration, inspections, and compliance3. Incorporates Codex allergen management guidelines (CXC 80-2020)3. | 180 days post-publication (except final complementary provision)3. | SANIPES (National Fisheries and Aquaculture Health and Safety Authority)3. |
3. Compliance Obligations
- Registration and Certification:
Operators must obtain sanitary authorizations from SANIPES for aquaculture and processing facilities1, 2.
- Traceability:
Full traceability of hydrobiological products is required, from harvest to final product1.
- Hygiene and Hazard Control:
Adherence to Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene (CAC/RCP 1-1969) and Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products (CAC/RCP 52-2003)1.
- Feed and Veterinary Products:
Safety standards for aquaculture feed and veterinary inputs, aligned with CAC/RCP 54-20041.
- Parasite Control:
Implementation of CAC/GL 88-2016 guidelines for foodborne parasite control1.
4. Enforcement and Penalties
- Inspections:
SANIPES conducts sanitary inspections of facilities and products1, 2.
- Non-Compliance:
Violations may result in suspension of authorizations, product seizures, or fines (specific penalties not detailed in sources)1.
5. International Alignment
The regulations conform to Codex Alimentarius standards, including:
- CXS 36-1981 (Quick Frozen Finfish),
- CXS 329-2017 (Fish Oils),
- CXS 119-1981 (Canned Finfish),
- CODEX STAN 167-1989 (Salted/Dried Fish)1, 3.
Summary Answer
Peru’s updated fish and seafood safety regulations, led by SANIPES, impose comprehensive sanitary requirements for aquaculture and processing activities1, 2, 3. Key obligations include traceability, hygiene controls, and Codex-aligned standards (e.g., CAC/RCP 52-2003, CXC 80-2020)1, 3. The Sectoral Inocuidad Regulation (Supreme Decree 020-2022-PRODUCE) and health regulations for hydrobiological resources (Supreme Decree 027-2021-PRODUCE) entered into force 180 days post-publication, with enforcement by SANIPES1, 2. A draft amendment further clarifies compliance procedures3. All trading partners are affected1, 3. For full details, consult the official texts1, 2, 3.
Sources
- ↩ Decreto Supremo que aprueba el Reglamento Sectorial de Inocuidad para las Actividades Pesqueras y Acuícolas (Supreme Decree approving the Sectoral Regulation on the Safety of Fishing and Aquaculture Activities) _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NPER934.DOCX
- ↩ Supreme Decree approving the health regulations for hydrobiological resources under the remit of the National Fisheries Health Service (SANIPES) _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NPER916A1.DOCX
- ↩ Proyecto de "Decreto Supremo que modifica diversos artículos y Anexos, e incorpora disposiciones en el Reglamento Sectorial de Inocuidad para las Actividades Pesqueras y Acuícolas, aprobado mediante Decreto Supremo No 020-2022-PRODUCE" (Draft Supreme Decree amending various articles and annexes, and incorporating provisions in the Sectoral Regulation on the Safety of Fishing and Aquaculture Activities, approved by Supreme Decree No. 020-2022-PRODUCE) _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NPER1062.DOCX
- Draft Supreme Decree amending the Regulations on sanitary surveillance and control of food and beverages, adopted by Supreme Decree No. 007-98-SA, and approving the services provided exclusively by the Directorate-General of Environmental Health and Food Safety in the Ministry of Health _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN21/PER133A1.DOCX