Donggang Mixed Color Clams

Donggang Mixed Color Clams

Donggang Mixed Color Clams is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Donggang Mixed Color Clams is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Mixed color clams are a type of shellfish seafood, belonging to the family Veneridae, with the scientific name Ruditapes philippinarum. In southern China, they are commonly known as huage (flower clams), in Liaoning as xianzi (freshwater clams), and in Shandong as gala (clams).

　　Mixed color clams are a specialty aquatic product of Dandong. Dalian Island in Donggang has a long history of producing mixed color clams. The tidal flats are of high quality, pollution-free, and the products are exported both domestically and internationally. When visiting the production area, one can enjoy a feast of these clams. Frozen processed clams and canned products made on the island are also available for purchase and can be brought home as gifts for family and friends. In regions such as Japan, Dandong-produced mixed color clams are the most expensive among the same type of shellfish.

　　The shell ligament is external, located at the rear. There are three main teeth plus anterior lateral teeth. It has a double adductor muscle. The pallial sinus is triangular, round, or absent. The shell is small and thin, elongated and oval in shape. The umbo is slightly prominent and curves slightly forward near the front edge of the dorsal margin. The radial ribs are fine and dense, with those in the front and back parts being coarser, interwoven with concentric growth lines to form a fabric-like pattern. The color and patterns on the shell surface vary greatly, featuring spots or patterns composed of brown, dark brown, dense brown, or reddish-brown hues. The inner surface of the shell is light gray or flesh-colored, with 2–3 light-colored bands extending from the umbo to the ventral side.

　　Donggang Mixed Color Clams

　　Geographic Scope

　　Donggang Mixed Color Clams are mainly produced in the intertidal zone mudflats within the territory of Donggang City. The protected geographic area is defined as follows: the eastern boundary extends from 124°05′25″ east longitude, 39°49′44.18″ north latitude to 124°06′00″ east longitude, 39°44′26.23″ north latitude; the southern boundary is the 0-meter isobath; the western boundary extends from 123°30′49.94″ east longitude, 39°47′38.33″ north latitude to 123°30′52.81″ east longitude, 39°45′24.56″ north latitude; the northern boundary is the land coastline. The total area is 24,200 hectares.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Characteristics: Donggang Mixed Color Clams are a small, bivalve marine shellfish species. The shells are hard, thick, oval-shaped, highly inflated, with varying ratios of height to length. The anterior end is wide and elliptical or slightly spindle-shaped, with a long and very prominent ligament. The front edge of the shell is slightly rounded, while the rear edge is slightly truncate. (2) Internal Quality: The meat of Donggang Mixed Color Clams is delicious, nutritious, and high in protein. The types and proportions of amino acids are well-balanced. The fat content is low, with a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, making it easy for the human body to digest and absorb. It also contains various vitamins and medicinal components. It is rich in essential trace elements for the human body, such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. Each 100 grams of Donggang Mixed Color Clams contains 8.37 grams of protein, 324 milligrams of calcium, 75.9 milligrams of iron, 70 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.63 micrograms of selenium, and 0.12 milligrams of riboflavin. (3) Safety Requirements: In accordance with laws and regulations such as the "Fisheries Law of the People's Republic of China," "Product Quality Law of the People's Republic of China," "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," and "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," as well as the standards for pollution-free agricultural product production, breeding management is strengthened. Strict implementation is carried out according to seawater quality standards (GB3097-1997), fishery water quality standards (GB11607-97), pollution-free food seawater aquaculture water quality (NY5052-2001), and pollution-free food Philippine clam farming technical specifications (NY5289-2004) and other national standards for seawater quality and pollution-free agricultural products.