Irish Quality Oyster Scheme
Scope of the Quality Specification Document:
The Quality Specification Document has been drawn up for the use of Irish Quality Oyster certified farmers
Oysters conforming to the present Quality Specification Document must comply with the characteristics relating to:
· Specifications of the finished product.
· Farming Method
· Traceability of the Oysters from the water to the packing station
· Meat must be fresh with a yield greater than 13.5%
· Meat colour to be characteristic (predominantly white/light grey) and uniform
· Interior of the oyster must be clean, predominately white internal surfaces
· Liquid content to be clear and not milky white
The Quality Specification Document describes the characteristics of the final product and the methods of control and inspection employed in order to ensure the conformity of the product to the scheme specifications.
What is a Certified Quality Oyster?
A Certified Quality Oyster is one which is traceable to a stringent product specification with regards to Meat Content, absence of milkiness, Shell Appearance, Taste and Texture and which also has been produced by a company that operates to best industry practice with regards to food safety, employee and environmental welfare.
The IQO Scheme has been developed by an independent technical advisory committee of experts comprising of individuals from BIM, Marine Institute, Food Safety Authority Ireland, IFA Aquaculture and Industry . The Irish Quality Oyster products are based on the best industry practice and go beyond the basic legislative requirements and are continually reviewed to ensure they remain up-to-date and relevant.
What does the Scheme Mark mean?
Presence of the mark assures buyers of bulk IQO oysters that they correspond to the IQO selected quality criteria and that the oysters have been grown, harvested under the strictest levels of food hygiene, whilst also ensuring the product can be fully traceable.
How does the industry achieve this mark?
As certified members of the Irish Quality Oyster Scheme, farmers will be continuously assessed against this standard, which includes best practice in traceability and management practices. All of which are rigorously audited by an independent third party.
The audit report is submitted to a certification committee, which then decides as to whether the applicant can become a fully certified member. The scheme is independently managed by IFQC Ltd.