Global figures for mislabelling or fraudulent seafood products are large. Kim Berry talks to Anne Gabriel from the Marine Stewardship Council on its program to limit the issue in Australia.
It is estimated that globally, 30 per cent of seafood products are mislabelled or fraudulent, with calls for greater research into the issue in Australia. Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Oceania program director, Anne Gabriel says little is known on what size of a problem it is for Australia.
Gabriel told Food & Drink Business, “To our knowledge, no formal studies have been done so we don’t know the extent of the situation here. Substitution and fraud undermine the industry’s reputation and could have a negative impact on consumers’ health if mislabelled products cause a reaction.”
Gabriel draws the distinction between willful actions, and unintentional, accidental substitution or mislabelling.
The fish name standard was established in 2007 to promote consistency across more than 4000 species but many species are still known by different names.
It does raise issues surrounding supply chain integrity, Gabriel says. “It could be poor systems, a lack of knowledge on the need for a traceable supply chain or to meet gaps in supply. The implications are wide ranging.”
