An estimated 20 percent of the global fisheries and aquaculture trade, valued at $195 billion, may be subject to some form of fraud, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Widespread Mislabeling in the Seafood Industry
Empirical studies suggest that up to 30 percent of seafood products in restaurants might be mislabeled. The report highlights instances of seafood fraud across the globe, including in Latin America, China, and the European Union, affecting products from ceviche to canned tuna.
In the United States, up to one-third of aquatic products sold may not match their package descriptions, despite less than one percent of imports being tested, the report warns.
Economic Incentives Drive Fish Fraud
Economic motivations are the primary driver of fish fraud. For example, selling farmed Atlantic salmon as wild-caught Pacific salmon can yield a profit increase of nearly $10 per kilogram. Fraudulent practices also serve to conceal the origin of products or to mask illegal overfishing, potentially threatening the sustainability of fish stocks.
Defining and Identifying Fish Fraud
The FAO report defines fish fraud as “a deliberate practice intended to deceive others.” Such practices can pose risks to biodiversity, human health, and economic systems. The report, titled Food fraud in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, was produced by the FAO in collaboration with the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.
Key categories of fish fraud include:
- Adding water to unprocessed fishery products to increase weight.
- Adulteration, such as using coloring to make tuna appear fresher.
- Counterfeiting, like creating imitation shrimp from starch.
- Simulation, such as packaging imitation crab meat as crab.
- Diversion of products to unintended markets.
- Misbranding, including false sustainability claims.
- Species substitution, like selling tilapia as red snapper.
- Tampering and mislabeling of origin or expiry dates.
- Theft.
The human health risks associated with some seafood fraud are significant, particularly as some fish can be dangerous if eaten raw, and refreezing seafood can increase bacterial growth.
Innovative Approaches to Combat Fish Fraud
The vast scale of global seafood consumption, encompassing over 12,000 species, coupled with the diversity of fraud types and a lack of standardized definitions, makes global estimations challenging. However, the report outlines novel methods for addressing this issue.
While advanced laboratory tests can identify substances, their accessibility is limited. Innovations such as portable X-ray fluorescence and machine-learning models offer potential solutions to reduce fraud and enhance regulatory enforcement.
To combat fish fraud effectively, the report recommends:
- Harmonized labeling requirements.
- Mandatory inclusion of scientific names where feasible.
- Improved traceability systems.
Scientific Advancements in Fraud Detection
Identifying fish fraud is complex, but scientific advancements offer promising tools. While a standard method to determine the number of times a seafood product has been frozen remains elusive, differences in the fatty-acid composition between wild and farmed fish can help detect fraud. Additionally, analyzing carbon and nitrogen ratios can help determine the geographical origin of major commercial fish species.
Strengthening Prevention and Enforcement
Prevention and enforcement are crucial for reducing and ultimately eliminating fish and all food fraud, according to the report, which reviewed efforts in Argentina, Italy, and the United States. DNA-barcoding investigations in Los Angeles revealed that while mislabeling is low in processing plants, it is moderate among grocers and particularly prevalent in sushi restaurants. A local initiative combining academic research, industry collaboration, government support, and public education, along with blind testing, successfully reduced seafood mislabeling by two-thirds over ten years in its focus area.
United Nations Initiatives Against Food Fraud
Ongoing UN efforts include the FAO and the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the international food standards body, working to strengthen international standards against food fraud. Through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, the FAO also provides technical support to member countries seeking to enhance their testing capabilities.
Find out more about FAO’s work here.
