High Level of Mislabeling in Spanish and Greek Hake Markets Suggests the Fraudulent Introduction of African Species

Abstract

DNA analysis of hake products commercialized in southern European (Spanish and Greek) market chains have demonstrated more than 30% mislabeling, on the basis of species substitution. Tails and fillets were more mislabeled than other products, such as slices and whole pieces. African species were substitute species for products labeled as American and European species, and we suggest it is a case of deliberate economically profitable mislabeling because real market prices of European and American hake products are higher than those of African in Spanish market chains. The presented results suggest fraud detection that disadvantages African producers. Government-mandated genetic surveys of commercial hakes and the use of subsequent statements of fair trade on labels of seafood products could help to reduce fraud levels in a global market of increasingly conscious consumers sensitive to ethical issues.

Species identification in fish fillet products using DNA barcoding

“…Considering that seafood mislabeling has been widely reported throughout the world (Jacquet and Pauly, 2008;Asensio et al, 2009;Cawthorn et al, 2011;Garcia-Vazquez et al, 2011;Hanner et al, 2011;Miller et al, 2012;Cox et al, 2013;Di Pinto et al, 2013) and that the authentication of food components is one of the key issues in food quality, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of mislabeling among fish fillet products from markets and supermarkets located in Apulia (SE Italy) using DNA barcoding, the sequencing of the mitochondrial reference marker gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) (Hebert et al, 2003).…”

Detection of mislabelling in the fresh potato retail market employing microsatellite markers

“…The results also show that this mislabelling is recurrent in different years and not just a punctual problem. The mislabelling levels detected in the potato market are a bit lower than the levels found in other Spanish food products, like it is shown in a recent study about mislabelling in hake, where 38.9% of mislabelling is detected (Garcia-Vazquez et al, 2011); but still, the levels are significant. Moreover, the employment of a larger primer set could may be allow detecting higher levels of mislabelling.…”

“…Despite EU and national legislations on food quality and control, some fraud and mislabelling problems have been detected in the Spanish food industry in the last years, specially in the fish market (Asensio, González, Pavón, García, & Martín, 2008;Garcia-Vazquez et al, 2011;Machado-Schiaffino, Martinez, & Garcia-Vazquez, 2008) however, the mislabelling levels for vegetables like potatoes is still quite unexplored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mislabelling in the Spanish potato market using SSRs methodology for cultivar identification.…”

Packaged frozen fishery products: species identification, mislabeling occurrence and legislative implications

“…The fraudulent misdescription -with various undeclared species in ready-to-cook fish products -and commonplace adulteration of fish products with an unindicated mixture of fish, is an increasing and ever more widespread problem (Di Pinto et al, 2013;Di Pinto et al, 2015;Garcia-Vazquez et al, 2011;Premanandh, Sabbagh, & Maruthamuthu, 2013). Additionally, deep-frozen fish fillets and easy-to-prepare or ready-to-eat products have become the leading product, gradually outstripping the traditional salt fish and dried salt fish production.…”