That expensive fish dinner on the menu may not be what you think it is. In fact, one in five seafood samples tested worldwide is not what the menu or packaging says, according to a new report on seafood fraud.
The report, by the ocean conservation group Oceana, found that 20 percent of more than 25,000 seafood samples the group analyzed were incorrectly labeled, The New York Times reports.
“It is likely that the average consumer has eaten mislabeled fish for sure,” said Beth Lowell, the senior campaign director for Oceana and an author of the paper. “You’re getting ripped off, while you enjoyed your meal you’re paying a high price for a low fish.”
The most common fake fish Oceana identified was farmed Asian catfish, an inexpensive white fish that is easily disguised when it’s filleted and drenched in sauce. It was sold in place of 18 types of more expensive fish, including perch, cod, and grouper.
The Oceana report is an analysis of more than 200 studies from 55 countries. Among the findings:
- In Italy, 82 percent of the 200 perch, groupers, and swordfish sampled were mislabeled.
- King mackerel, high in mercury, was sold as “barracuda” and “wahoo” in South Africa.
- In Hong Kong, one 29 samples of pricey “abalone” was correctly labeled.
- Two chefs in Santa Monica in Southern California were charged with selling endangered whale meat as fatty tuna.
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