In addition to rice and vegetables, sushi often also contains fish and seafood. In addition to the “classics” such as salmon or tuna, more expensive species are also offered. However, food counterfeiters exchange these illegally for cheaper types and thus illegally increase their profits. According to the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), official examinations of fish and seafood revealed an animal species other than the specified species in 8.1% of all samples.
Fraud through cheaper types of fish in sushi
In 2021, 186 sushi samples were examined in the nationwide monitoring plan (BÜp), some of which were offered in sets of different types of sushi. A total of 229 subsamples, including 191 fish and 38 crustaceans and molluscs, were checked for animal species.
Sushi with salmon and tuna were most frequently examined. In these cases, the declared fish species matched the detected fish species in all samples examined. However, for the other fish examined, animal species other than those specified were detected in more than a third of the samples (35.9%). Most commonly (in 8 of 9 samples) butterfish was used instead of butterfish.
Fake fish is worth it
The incentive to counterfeit depends, among other things, on how easy the manipulation is, how much profit can be made and how difficult it is to prove fraud. After processing the fish, e.g. B. filleting, identifying the fish species based on its external shape is difficult. It can be worthwhile for manufacturers to process inexpensive fish from aquaculture, such as pangasius or tilapia, instead of expensive sea fish.
“Food fraud involving fish is often difficult to recognize by consumers. “It is all the more important that the official food control authorities continue to be active here and put a stop to the counterfeiters.”
Friedel Cramer, President of the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL)
Further information in the report on the nationwide surveillance plan (BÜp): HERE
Source:
BVL
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