Image obtained from the GESTPAR Project LinkedIn.
Wholesale markets play an essential role in the distribution of food throughout the national territory, which makes it essential to constantly update the personnel in charge of the inspection and official control of foodstuffs. With this objective in mind, on June 20 and 21, 2024, the Assembly Hall of the Mercamadrid Administrative Center hosted a technical conference aimed at professionals from the administrations and workers involved in the distribution and marketing chain of food products.
One of the key moments of the event was the round table discussion on the management of anisakis parasitism, in which leading experts in food safety and fisheries participated. During the discussion, the main challenges posed by the presence of this parasite in fish were addressed and strategies for its control along the distribution chain were highlighted.
Among the speakers was Lorena Solar de Frutos, Head of Service of the Sub-Directorate General for Food Safety Management of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), who stressed the importance of unifying inspection criteria and strengthening preventive measures in the marketing of fishery products. For his part, Julián García Baena, Head of Area of the Sub-Directorate General of Aquaculture, Fisheries Marketing and Structural Actions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, highlighted the key role of the regulations in reducing the risks associated with this parasite.
From the field of scientific research, Ángel F. González, Research Professor at the Institute of Marine Research (CSIC), explained how climate change and certain fishing practices have favored the increase in the incidence of anisakis in recent years. In turn, Mario Pidal Meana, Deputy Director of the New Rula de Avilés Lonja Pesquera, explained the measures that are being implemented in wholesale markets to minimize the impact of this parasite in the distribution of fresh fish.
Finally, Rocío Béjar Ochoa, Deputy Secretary General of CEPESCA (Spanish Fisheries Confederation), focused on the need to raise awareness among consumers and industry professionals about best practices to avoid health risks, highlighting the importance of freezing and cooking fish correctly before consumption.
The role of the GESTPAR project in the fight against anisakis
During the conference, the GESTPAR project was also presented, a key initiative for the development of anisakis management and control strategies in the fishing industry. This project, promoted by various scientific institutions and the fishing sector, seeks to improve food safety by implementing effective measures to reduce the presence of anisakis in seafood products before they reach the markets and consumers.
Its main objectives include:
✅ Optimize anisakis detection and elimination techniques in the early stages of the production chain.
✅ Improve inspection protocols in fish markets and wholesale markets to ensure consumer safety.
✅ Promote the treatment of viscera on board before returning them to the sea, thus reducing the proliferation of the parasite in the marine ecosystem.
✅ Promote training and awareness of professionals in the sector on the importance of anisakis control.
GESTPAR ‘s commitment to research and innovation will make it possible to advance in the protection of public health and strengthen consumer confidence in fish products.
The conference concluded with the promise to continue strengthening collaboration between administrations, scientists and companies in the sector to ensure a more rigorous and efficient control of anisakis in the food distribution chain.
