On this page:
- Background
- How can unprocessed shells which are not free of flesh be disposed of?
- How can former foodstuffs be disposed of?
- How can shells arising in kitchens ie Catering waste be disposed of?
- How can processed shells be disposed of?
- How can shellfish shells which are free of flesh, "out of scope" be used?
Background
Article 2 2 (f) of the Control Regulations says that shellfish shells which are free of flesh are outside the scope of the Regulation. However ‘free of flesh’ is not defined. SEAFISH have developed criteria whereby it can be determined when shells could be considered free of flesh. It can be found on the Seafish website.
If the flesh is removed from the shellfish shells within a human food preparation plant then no animal by-products approval is required. When shellfish shells are removed from the human food preparation plant, with flesh still present, for cleaning elsewhere then the cleaning plant must be approved as a handling plant.
The guidance is not definitive but provides a valid basis for operators and enforcement authorities to make a judgement about circumstances when shells should be regarded as free of flesh and therefore whether in scope or not.
This guidance only applies to determining when unprocessed shells are in or out of scope. If they are in scope i.e. not free of flesh then there are four possible scenarios to deal with.
How can unprocessed shells which are not free of flesh be disposed of?
Such shellfish shells must be disposed of as category 3 animal by-products in the same way as other unprocessed meat and fish.
How can former foodstuffs be disposed of?
Former foodstuffs includes food factory waste. Shells which come from food manufacturers or retailers and have undergone treatment in accordance with EU Regulation 852/2004 may go to landfill . Shells which have not undergone treatment must be disposed of as other unprocessed ABPs i.e. cannot be sent to landfill, except where they fall under the 20kg per week exemption (in the same way that applies to other unprocessed meat and fish which are former foodstuffs). See further guidance at:
The treatment under 852/2004 must be an integral part of the food preparation. It is not permitted for retailers/manufacturers to subject unprocessed shells to such treatment as a way of avoiding the normal ABP processing requirements for category 3 material
How can shells arising in kitchens ie Catering waste be disposed of?
Shells which are catering waste ie which arise in a domestic or commercial kitchen, must be disposed of with normal rules on catering waste. For more information see our Disposal from retail, manufacturing and distribution premises page.
How can processed shells be disposed of?
Once processed, shells may go to landfill, for use on the land or a technical use.
How can shell fish shells which are free of flesh ‘out of scope’ be used?
Shells which are free of flesh, following the Seafish guidance may be used for any purpose including farm animal feeding. Operators supplying shells for farm animal feed use will need to comply with the requirements of the EU Feed Hygiene Regulation and be registered with their Local Authority. Other feed legislation will also apply (e.g. undesirable substances, labelling). Further information on these requirements can be found on the Food Standards Agency's website at:
http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/farmingfood/animalfeed/animalfeedlegislation
