Research performed by Oceana in Ottawa revealed high level of seafood fraud and mislabelling. (Photo: Stock File)

Oceana Canada claims 'seafood fraud' and mislabelling

CANADA
Thursday, November 30, 2017, 03:10 (GMT + 9)

Oceana Canada has released 'alarming results' of seafood fraud and mislabelling after a study it carried out in Ottawa.

The NGO’s report, Mystery Fish: Seafood Fraud in Canada and How to Stop It, reveals that almost half of the samples tested -- 45 out of 98 -- were mislabelled and that one-third (33) were considered species substitution.

Oceana points out that an increasing amount of seafood is being shipped to Canada from overseas, with estimates suggesting that up to 80 per cent of what is consumed in Canada may be imported. This seafood follows a complex path from a fishing vessel to our plate, with a risk of fraud and mislabelling at each step along the way.

"Seafood fraud cheats Canadian consumers and hurts local, honest fishers as well as chefs and seafood companies looking to purchase sustainable seafood. It causes health concerns and also masks global human rights abuses by creating a market for illegally caught fish," says Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada.

Food fraud is big business, according to Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Professor in Food Distribution and Policy, Dalhousie University.

"Food fraud represents a CAD 52-billion problem worldwide and is allegedly worth more than the heroin trade and firearms trafficking combined," Charlebois adds.

As part of its research, Oceana Canada tested restaurants and grocery stores in Ottawa based on their popularity, including among politicians and decision-makers, and their proximity to Parliament Hill, government offices and media headquarters.

The highlights of the research include:

• Seafood fraud and mislabelling were found in 14 of the 19 different types of fish targeted;
• Restaurants had the highest rates of seafood fraud and mislabelling, with 68 per cent of sushi vendor samples and 51 per cent of non-sushi restaurant samples mislabelled. Eighteen per cent of grocery store samples were mislabelled;
• Seafood fraud and mislabelling were found at 10 of 12 sushi vendors and 16 of 22 restaurants tested, including the most popular and prestigious restaurants and those known for serving sustainable seafood;
• Escolar, known as "the laxative of the sea," can cause acute gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea, and was found as a common substitute for both white tuna and butterfish.

All in all, Oceana Canada is calling on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to make combatting seafood fraud a priority and to ensure all seafood sold in Canada is safe, legally caught and honestly labelled.

"Full boat-to-plate traceability, paired with comprehensive labelling, can help our oceans, our wallets and our health, while restoring consumer confidence," concludes Laughren.
 
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