It may be World Oceans Day, but a Canadian professor says before we celebrate, we must do more to authenticate the fruits of the ocean.
Dr. Robert Hanner with the University of Guelph Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, says the ocean is the last remaining source of wild protein and a source of magnificent food fraud.
He says food fraud is a major problem worldwide.
“We see instances where people are substituting a species of lower economic value for one of a higher economic value.”
“Basa, catfish, commonly being raised aquaculture farms across southeast Asia, being subsituted for cod.”
Hanner states we need to continue to develop new methods to ensure fish products we purchase are sustainable and traceable.
He notes one of those new methods that is working is independent, third-parties.
“Things like certification programs that are coming up, like TRU-ID or Marine Stewardship Council (in particular for seafood) are helping to ensure traceability of a particular filet on your plate back to a fishery from which it was caught.”
