Oceana has released a report about seafood fraud around the world. The report, called Deceptive Dishes: Seafood Swaps Found Worldwide, states that seafood fraud is a serious global problem that threatens consumer health. The review looked at data in 2014, and it shows some promising trends because of recent regulations in the European Union (EU) that are "increasing transparency and traceability as well as addressing illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing." The report states that if the United States adopts comprehensive, full-chain traceability, it will be more difficult for consumers to be misled. The report states that on average, one in five of more than 25,000 samples of seafood tested was mislabeled. Oceana reviewed more than 20 published studies from 55 … [Read more...]
Search Results for: seafood fraud
Presidential Task Force Against Seafood Fraud
Today, a task force created by President Obama released a set of strong recommendations to stop seafood fraud and illegal fishing. Oceana applauds this move, stating that this is a "real step forward in fighting illegal fishing and seafood fraud in the U.S. and around the world. The task force reaffirms the president's commitment to stop these crimes that provide profits to pirate fishermen, rip off consumers, and hinder ocean conservation." The task force was established in June 2014. Agencies were told to work together for six months to develop the recommendations. Oceana also says that to protect consumers, the link between U.S. dollars and pirate fishing must be broken. The task now is to make sure these measures are implemented. Boat-to-plate traceability is necessary to make … [Read more...]
Public Comments on Seafood Fraud Task Force Ask for Traceability
In June 2014, the White House announced a Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud and asked for comments from the public to develop recommendations. Oceana, one of the groups commenting on the proposal, has long advocated for traceability to help combat seafood fraud. That fraud consists of mislabeling and deliberately misnaming seafood in order to receive a higher price for the product in the marketplace. Some facilities substitute lesser quality species for more desirable fish, which can lead to allergic reactions and other health problems. Some of the species substituted for higher quality fish are higher in heavy metals such as mercury, which can cause serious illness. When farmed fish are substituted for wild-caught … [Read more...]
President Obama Tackles Seafood Fraud and Illegal Fishing
Oceana has released a statement that President Obama is going to work on seafood fraud and illegal fishing in the United States. The announcement was made at the global "Our Ocean" conference hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry. The President is directing federal agencies to develop a comprehensive program to combat seafood fraud. Food Poisoning Bulletin has told you about seafood fraud for the past few years. Many types of seafood are mislabeled, which can lead to illness and allergic reactions. In addition, cheap varieties of fish are often dishonestly sold as more expensive varieties, which costs consumers millions of dollars every year. Oceana's campaign director Beth Lowell said in a statement, "President Obama's announcement is an historic step forward in the fight against … [Read more...]
Oceana Map Details Seafood Fraud Around the Country
A new map published by Oceana details the seafood fraud in the United States. Food Poisoning Bulletin has told you about seafood fraud before; it is a serious problem all over the world. Many consumers pay more for seafood than they should; species are sold masquerading as other species which costs consumers money and puts those with allergies at risk; and some of the species substituted for more pricey varieties can make you sick. The map lets you enter a location to discover fraud in your area. And information in the map tells you about Oceana studies. For instance, the largest study of seafood fraud to date found that 1 in 3 species is mislabeled. The agency has tested seafood and shellfish all around the country. They found that Atlantic cod is often mislabeled and sold as "orange … [Read more...]
CA State Senator Drafts Bill To Curb Seafood Fraud
Citing reports of widespread seafood mislabeling,California State Senator Alex Padilla has drafted a bill aimed at curbing seafood fraud and improving consumer choice. SB 1138, which would make it illegal to knowingly sell mislabeled seafood, is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Health Committee this afternoon. In a press conference announcing the bill, Padilla cited a recent Oceana survey that revealed Southern California leads the nation in mislabeled fish. The survey found fish mislabeled in: 84 percent of sushi samples in Southern California; 58 percent of restaurants in Northern California; 52 percent of all fish in Los Angeles and Orange Counties; 27 percent of grocery stores visited in Northern California. Seafood mislabeling puts consumers at risk when they think they are … [Read more...]
Maryland Introduces Bill to Stop Seafood Fraud
Are you sure that the fish and seafood you buy in the grocery store or at the fishmonger are properly labeled? Are you really buying red snapper, or a cheaper substitution? A Maryland legislator is introducing the "Maryland Seafood Authenticity and Enforcement Act", which the agency Oceana applauds. The legislation should help stop "seafood bait and switch" in that state. Seafood fraud is rampant in this country. A study by Oceana last year found that one-third of the seafood tested in the United States is mislabeled. Maryland Delegate Eric Luedtke (D-14) said in a statement, "to protect the public health, to protect the consumer, and to protect our watermen from unfair competition, Marylanders deserve to know that they are being served the seafood they ordered." Oceana campaign … [Read more...]
Oceana Reports Seafood Fraud Costs Consumers Money and Health
When you buy grouper fillets at your grocery store, are you really getting what you're paying for? A new study by Oceana confirms that you may not be, and that the cost of seafood fraud is mounting. On average, consumers are being cheated out of hundreds of dollars a year because cheaper fish species are being exchanged for more expensive types. For instance, if you want to buy grouper but the fish you are buying is actually tilapia, you are spending more than $4.00 more a pound. In a restaurant, that cost difference jumps to $12.00. You think you are eating a high quality fish, but you're getting a cheaper species worth half the price you're paying. Oceana senior scientist Margot Stiles said in a statement, "swapping a lower cost fish for a higher value one is like ordering a filet … [Read more...]
Congress Acts to Stop Seafood Fraud
Oceana, an advocacy group that works to protect the world's oceans, announced that Representative Edward Markey (D-MA) introduced the Safety and Fraud Enforcement for Seafood (SAFE) Act to address the growing problem of seafood fraud. Oceana released a study last month that showed 33% of seafood sold in the United States is mislabeled; some of the mislabeling can lead to serious health consequences. Oceana campaign director Beth Lowell said in a statement, "Seafood fraud is a national problem that requires federal attention. Rep. Markey should be applauded for his swift action to stop seafood fraud in the U.S. Seafood fraud not only cheats consumers, but it also hurts honest fishermen and seafood businesses along the supply chain. Oceana is calling on Congress to pass the SAFE Seafood … [Read more...]
Oceana Uncovers Nationwide Seafood Fraud
Oceana, the largest international advocacy group that works to protect the earth's oceans, has released a report uncovering widespread seafood fraud across the United States. Last year that organization reported on seafood fraud in New York City. The organization collected more than 1,200 samples of seafood from 674 retail outlets in 21 states from 2010 to 2012. The samples were DNA tested to see if the fish and seafood in the packages matched what was claimed on the labels. They found that 33% of the samples were mislabeled according to FDA guidelines. Fish sold as snapper and tuna was most often mislabeled. Eighty-seven percent of fish sold as "snapper" was mislabeled, while 57% of fish sold as "tuna" was mislabeled. Oceana says that "a comprehensive and transparent traceability … [Read more...]
