The relevance of this work stems from the need to establish uniform process requirements, compliance with which guarantees the production of high-quality and safe products.
Over the past two years, staff members of the Aquatic Bioresource Processing Technologies Sector of the Kerch Department of the Southern Branch of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) have successfully developed several new process instructions. Specifically, PIs have been developed for the harvesting (catching), transportation from fishing areas, and preparation for sale of live bivalve mollusks, as well as PIs for the production of pickled fish.
The technological instructions for live bivalve mollusks include requirements for the technological process prior to the sale of mussels, oysters, scallops, and anadara, which is currently a promising commercial target in the Sea of Azov. Particular attention is paid to the cleaning process of the mollusks, which includes aging in pools with clean seawater to remove contaminants and waste products. This step is key to ensuring high product quality and consumer safety.
The instructions for the production of pickled fish establish the technological requirements for various types of marine fish, such as horse mackerel, mackerel, sardine, herring, as well as small fish native to the Azov and Black Seas, such as anchovy, sprat, and kilka. Pickling is one of the oldest processing methods, based on the use of a vinegar-salt solution, which has a pronounced preservative effect. Only unprocessed fish products (fresh, chilled, or frozen) are permitted for the production of pickled fish. The use of ready-salted fish for the production of pickled products is prohibited in accordance with the requirements of EAEU Technical Regulation (TR) 040/2016. The TI clarifies the parameters of dry and brine salting, and provides recipes for spice mixtures and vinegar-spice dressings.
These instructions are standard. Any company may expand the provisions of the TI, if necessary, depending on its technical capabilities. However, the basic requirements set forth in the instructions must be met, guaranteeing product safety in accordance with the requirements of the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union: EAEU Technical Regulation (TR) 040/2016 "On the Safety of Fish and Fish Products" and CU Technical Regulation (TR) 021/2011 "On the Safety of Food Products."
The Southern Branch of VNIRO, by developing and implementing advanced technological solutions for processing aquatic bioresources, makes a significant contribution to providing consumers with high-quality and safe products.
VNIRO Press Service