When people transition to
plant-based diets, fish is usually the last animal to leave their plates. But
the shocking findings of a recent scientific study from the University of
Guelph are enough to make anyone ask: What are we really plunging our forks into when we dish up the fish?
DNA analysis found that a
staggering 41% of fish samples taken across five large Canadian cities were mislabeled.
These findings are similar to those of another study that revealed mislabeling
of 33% of fish sold in grocery stores, restaurants, and sushi venues in the United
States. Not surprisingly, in an effort to increase profits, farmed fish are
often substituted for more expensive species.
The US study also discovered that red snapper and tuna are
the most frequently mislabeled species–87% and 59%, respectively. In fact, researchers
found that 84% of the fish samples labeled
“white tuna” were actually escolar, a fish that when eaten can cause
digestive issues such as “prolonged, uncontrollable, oily anal leakage.”
Not only are consumers paying higher than market price for some items, they may
also be endangering their health and contributing to unsustainable product sourcing.
But, because
fish aren’t cute, cuddly, or as relatable as other species people know and
love, such labeling fraud is more likely to go unnoticed by the media and
public than a scandal like the recent mislabeling of horsemeat as hamburger in
Europe.
Disconcerting, right? What’s even more disturbing is the truth behind the tuna
shortage: tuna, particularly bluefin tuna, are in such drastic decline due to
overfishing that some believe they’re near the point
of extinction.
The sad reality is that all fish
are in peril. Scientists now believe that due to trawling and loss of
biodiversity, all fisheries could collapse
as early as 2048. These are animals that experience pain
much like mammals and are steeped
in complex social intelligence.
If you’re looking for alternatives to fish on your plate, look no further than
ChooseVeg.ca for delicious vegetarian recipes. And for a restaurant in your
area that serves up compassionate veggie sushi, check out VegGuide.org.
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-CA
X-NONE
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
