Tag Archives: seafood labels

Canadian Seafood Fraud

What if you were told the “tuna” you’ve been eating all this time isn’t actually tuna?  In fact, 59% of tuna sold in the Canadian markets are mislabeled, making it the second most commonly mislabeled seafood, with red snapper sitting at the very top of the list (87% mislabeled).

As seen below, compared to Europe and US, Canadian seafood labels are very much misleading and uninformed for consumers. Luckily, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently reviewing the laws and regulations for proper Sea Food labels.

image from: http://www.seachoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Are-you-Eating-in-the-dark-FINAL.pdf

As alarming as “mystery meat” sounds, it’s not too far off to use as a description for Canadian seafood. “Rockfish” as seen above, is nothing but a common name used for over 100 different species. David Suzuki Foundation is currently holding a petition for seafood labels to include the Scientific name, geographic origin, production methods, and additives used.

image from http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/seafood-labelling

A study conducted by University of Guelph found that 84% of fish sold as “white tuna” were actually a closely related species called escolar. However, it is known that escolars are unable to digest gempylotoxin (type of wax, similar to mineral oils found in escolars’ diet), which means that when it is consumed, it can cause various digestive problems such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Enforcing regulations on seafood providers to have proper labeling will not only help us make healthy choices for ourselves and our families, it will also help us to make environmental and economical friendly choices by supporting locally farmed seafood. Sign the petition today!

Lisa Liang

Canadian Seafood Labeling

Click on the image below and take a quick look at the three different labels. Do any of those labels concern you at all? Why is it that, out of the three below, Canadian seafood labels provide consumers with the least amount of information?

image from: http://www.seachoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Are-you-Eating-in-the-dark-FINAL.pdf

In fact, the only labeled information “Rockfish”,  is only a common name used for over 100 different species. The scientific name, geographic origin, and production methods are no where to be found. If Europeans are able to provide consumers with all the above details, why shouldn’t Canadian seafood labels show such information?

Enforcing regulations on seafood providers to have proper labeling will not only help consumers determine exactly what they’re buying, but will also help make environmental and economical friendly choices. For instance, knowing that a product is locally farmed will help increase support for local businesses.

image from http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/seafood-labelling

Another benefit mentioned on SeaChoice.org, was that providing information on production methods will help make friendlier environmental decisions; consumers will less likely to pick up a product knowing that its method of production have negative impacts on the ocean.

To help the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in rethinking Canadian Seafood Labeling needs, please head on here to sign the petition show your support for proper labelings before February 23rd 2017!

Lisa Liang