1212.21.00.00 - Fit for human consumption

This HTS category, 1212.21.00.00, specifically covers seaweeds and other algae that are prepared or processed in a manner fit for human consumption. This includes a wide range of marine flora, such as kelp, nori, wakame, and agar-agar, when they are presented in a form suitable for direct consumption or incorporation into food products. The key defining characteristic here is the intended end-use and preparation for the human food market.

This subcategory is distinguished from its sibling, 1212.29.00.00 ("Other"), which encompasses seaweeds and other algae not classified as fit for human consumption. Therefore, if a seaweed product is intended for industrial uses (e.g., as a fertilizer, in animal feed, or for the extraction of chemicals like alginates not specifically for food), it would fall under the "Other" category. The criterion for classification hinges on the explicit purpose and processing for dietary intake.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories under 1212.21.00.00. Classification at this level is definitive based on whether the seaweed or algae product, in its presented form, is marketed and suitable for human food. This often involves drying, grinding, or other processing methods that render it edible and ready for use in culinary applications.