Rich Products' Texas manufacturing Plant Receives "Best Aquaculture Practices" Certification

BROWNSVILLE, Texas, July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rich Products Corporation's Brownsville manufacturing plant has earned "Best Aquaculture Practices" (BAP) certification.  The Brownsville plant produces a large majority of Rich's seafood products distributed by SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Co., maker of the country's top selling frozen specialty shrimp and seafood products.

The BAP certification standards are developed by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that encourages the use of responsible aquaculture practices.  The BAP certification program is voluntary for aquaculture facilities and the BAP standards for seafood processing plants are among the most comprehensive certification systems.  SeaPak's Brownsville plant achieved BAP certification to process shrimp and tilapia, which are the aquaculture products handled at the facility.

"As a Founding Member of the Global Aquaculture Alliance, sustainability has always been a top priority at SeaPak," said Daryl Miller, Senior Marketing Manager, SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Co.  "This is the most-prestigious type of plant certification in the industry.  It validates the excellence in best processing and production practices at our Brownsville plant and bolsters SeaPak's leadership role as America's trusted source for premium seafood products."

The BAP certification standards define the most-important elements of responsible aquaculture and provide quantitative guidelines for evaluating adherence to those practices.  "Compliance with BAP standards requires program participants to comprehensively address environmental and social responsibility, as well as animal welfare, food safety, and traceability throughout their operations," said BAP Vice President of Development Peter Redmond.  "The Global Aquaculture Alliance congratulates Rich Products Corporation and SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Co. for achieving certification."

Since 1948, SeaPak has used strict quality, sourcing and sustainability standards for its products, including a commitment to source only from suppliers whose practices limit negative environmental impact.  Currently, 100 percent of SeaPak's aquaculture products come from BAP-certified sources and are made using Best Aquaculture Practices.

"Our Brownsville plant produces 85 percent of our seafood items, so we take great pride in this certification," said Eddie De La Rosa, Plant Manager, Brownsville Manufacturing Facility.  "It's wonderful to be recognized by the seafood industry's leading aquaculture certification program for the things we do to provide safe, high-quality seafood."

For more information about the Global Aquaculture Alliance, please visit http://www.gaalliance.org. For more information about Best Aquaculture Practices, please visit http://www.gaalliance.org/bap.

About SeaPak

SeaPak Shrimp and Seafood Co., maker of America's No. 1-selling retail frozen shrimp within the specialty seafood category, has been using coastal secrets and recipes to make great-tasting shrimp and seafood for more than 60 years.  From mouthwatering Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp and Popcorn Shrimp to delicious Salmon Burgers and Shrimp Scampi, SeaPak brings the "Taste of the Coast" to tables across the country.

For more information about SeaPak, visit www.SeaPak.com.

SOURCE Rich Products Corporation