How can Wild Alaskan Salmon come from China?

Wild domestically caught fish including Pacific Salmon are initially de-headed, eviscerated (H&G-headed & gutted) and frozen in the USA. The H&G fish are then shipped to FDA approved facilities in China where they are processed as fillets and other value added seafood products and packaged before returning to U.S. tables. Although the fish were wild caught in the USA, the key is that the fish were significantly changed or altered in China and by doing so the fish becomes a “Product of China” The country “significantly altering” the shape, form or ingredients of the product becomes the “Country of Origin”. Unfortunately every country’s regulations differ in their requirements for stating Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) regarding importing seafood products for processing and export. The confusing jumble of international regulations are addressed by the use of MOU’s – Memorandums of Understanding between the participating countries.