Seafood Inspection Services
Mars Quality – Seafood Inspection Service Company
Mars Quality provides seafood inspection services worldwide. From pre-shipment to container loading checks, our inspections ensure safety, compliance, and product quality.
Seafood is one of the most widely traded food commodities, with billions of dollars’ worth of fish, shellfish, and processed products moving across borders each year. Unlike shelf-stable foods, seafood is highly perishable. A single disruption in the cold chain, contamination during handling, or failure to comply with regulatory standards can lead to spoilage, foodborne illness, and costly shipment rejections.
For importers, retailers, and distributors, ensuring product quality and safety is not just a commercial priority — it is a legal obligation. Border authorities such as the U.S. FDA and the EU’s DG SANTE conduct strict checks, and rejected containers often translate into financial losses, damaged reputations, and strained supplier relationships.
This is where seafood inspection services become indispensable. Mars Quality provides independent food inspection and quality control solutions across major seafood-exporting regions. With a network of inspectors specialized in seafood and food safety, we help companies maintain compliance, reduce risks, and ensure that every shipment meets specifications before it leaves the supplier.
Our Seafood Inspection Services
Seafood inspections cover all stages of production and logistics, from raw material sourcing to final container loading. Mars Quality adapts each food quality control service to the product type, country of origin, and client requirements.
Our solutions include:
Initial Production Inspection
Our Initial Production Inspection product quality at the earliest phase:
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Assessment of raw material quality (fish, shellfish, additives).
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Verification of hygiene and sanitation measures in processing facilities.
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Confirmation of cold storage capacity and operational readiness.
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
The Pre-Shipment inspection before dispatch:
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Comprehensive quality verification prior to shipment.
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Random sampling and organoleptic checks: color, smell, texture.
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Net weight confirmation, including drained weight for canned seafood.
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Review of labeling, expiry dates, and packaging integrity.
During Production Inspection (DUPRO)
DUPRO Inspection monitors ongoing production or packing runs:
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Monitoring of handling and cutting practices.
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Verification of core temperature during processing and packaging.
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Checks for cross-contamination risks in mixed production lines.
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Early detection of non-conformities before full production runs.
Container Loading Check
Container loading is a critical risk point. It ensures:
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Inspection of container condition (cleanliness, odor, temperature settings).
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Verification of loading sequence and pallet placement.
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Monitoring of sealing process with documentation of container and seal numbers.
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Use of temperature loggers where required.
Seafood Categories We Inspect
Each product category has unique risks. For example, live shellfish require traceability and water quality certificates, while frozen shrimp inspections often focus on glaze percentage, antibiotic residues, and black spot development.
Mars Quality supports inspections across the full spectrum of seafood products:
Fresh seafood
Salmon, tuna, cod, crab, lobster, oysters.
Frozen seafood:
Shrimp, squid, pangasius, tilapia, tuna loins, scallops.
Canned and processed seafood:
Canned tuna, sardines, crab meat, surimi, smoked salmon, breaded shrimp.
Aquaculture products:
Farmed shrimp, pangasius, tilapia, salmon, trouts, seabass.
Live seafood:
Lobster, mud crab, mussels, clams, oysters.
Benefits of Seafood Quality Control Services for Importers
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Reduced risk of shipment rejections at border control.
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Compliance with buyer specifications and regulatory frameworks.
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Verification of sustainability claims and prevention of seafood fraud.
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Lower losses from spoilage, recalls, and product withdrawals.
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Strengthened supplier relationships through independent monitoring.
Seafood Inspection Services: List of Verifications, Testing, and Controls
Seafood pre-shipment inspections ensure that products are safe, compliant, and fully aligned with buyer requirements before leaving the supplier. Mars Quality inspectors follow structured checklists that combine international standards with client-specific specifications.
Our standard seafood quality control inspection points include:
1. Product Quality & Freshness
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Organoleptic evaluation of seafood (appearance, smell, texture).
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Measurement of glaze percentage on frozen products to prevent excess water content.
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Assessment of ice-to-fish ratio in chilled shipments.
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Verification of absence of defects such as black spot on shrimp, broken shells, or freezer burn.
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Image captured during a crab inspection conducted by Mars Quality. >>
2. Temperature Control
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- Core temperature measurement of frozen and chilled seafood at multiple sampling points.
- Verification of cold storage conditions at the facility.
- Review of reefer container temperature settings before loading.
Image captured during a crab inspection conducted by Mars Quality. >>
3. Weight & Quantity
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Net and gross weight checks against purchase orders.
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Drained weight checks for canned seafood.
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Sampling to confirm declared unit weight and packaging count.
Image captured during a crab inspection conducted by Mars Quality. >>
Frequently Asked Questions About Seafood Inspections
What is checked during a seafood inspection?
Seafood inspections cover freshness, safety, and compliance. Inspectors verify organoleptic characteristics such as appearance, smell, and texture, along with core temperature, packaging integrity, and net weight. Documentation such as catch certificates and health certificates is also reviewed to ensure compliance with FDA, EU, and Codex requirements.
In which countries does Mars Quality provide seafood inspections?
Mars Quality is a seafood inspection company that operates in more than 100 countries. Major seafood-exporting regions covered include China, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, France, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Ecuador, Chile, Norway, and Peru. Our inspectors are based locally, reducing travel costs and ensuring rapid service.
How quickly are seafood inspection reports delivered?
Mars Quality delivers digital reports within 24 hours of the inspection. Reports include photos, measurements, and non-conformance details, allowing importers to make fast and informed decisions before shipment departure.
Why Choose Mars Quality as Your Seafood Inspection Company?
Partnering with Mars Quality offers measurable advantages:
- Global presence: Inspectors in 100+ countries.
- Seafood expertise: Trained professionals in HACCP, ISO 22000.
- Custom protocols: Tailored checklists for each client and product.
- Fast reporting: Digital reports with photos delivered within 24 hours.
- Technical support: Integration with lab testing when required.
Where Do We Offer
Seafood Inspection Services
Our global presence allows us to support businesses with operations in multiple regions, offering consistent sorting solutions across different markets.
Mars Quality provides seafood quality control checks in 100 countries including:
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, etc.
Argentina, Perú, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, USA, Canada, etc.
Vietnam, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, etc.
Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, etc.
You need a trusted partner who understands your business
Mars Quality has the industry knowledge and resources to help you ensure quality and reduce risks.
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