A new study that was recently conducted by environmental group Oceana has turned up some fishy results in New York City. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and it could lead to some bad situations. Here are the numbers, from retailers in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens that were recommended by online reviews from Yelp:
- Close to 60% of big retail stores, and 40% of mom-and-pop locations, sold fish that was mislabeled
- 100% of sushi bars they tested (16 of them) sold customers mislabeled fish
- 142 fish tested from 81 retail outlets turned up 56 samples (39%) mislabeled
- 94% of fish labeled “white tuna” turned out to be cheaper pieces of escolar (which is a snake mackerel whose toxins can have a “purgative effect” on people who eat more than a few bites)
- Red snapper and halibut purchased at one small market was actually tilefish…which is on the FDA’s do-not-eat list because of high mercury content
“Not only are New Yorkers being cheated when buying fraudulent fish, but those wanting to choose their seafood wisely for health, religious or conservation concerns are being seriously misled,” Oceana scientist Kim Warner said. Be mindful next time you’re purchasing seafood in New York!
