FSA survey on production method and geographic origin of fish
Thursday 3 May 2007
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) today releases findings from a survey that investigated the extent to which fish described as ‘wild’ actually are wild. The survey also looked at whether consumers are being provided with information at retail sale on whether the fish are farmed or wild, as well as where it was caught or produced as required by fish labelling rules.
One part of the survey involved purchasing wild fish samples from supermarkets, fishmongers, fish auctions, and specialist food shops and analysing the extracted oil from samples of sea bass, sea bream and salmon. The results were then compared to the results to a database of authentic wild and farmed fish. Of those sampled, 10% of the ‘wild’ sea bass were found to be farmed, 11% of sea bream and 15% of the salmon.
Table 1 Results of Periods 1 and 2 Sampling.
| Fish (Total no. of “wild” samples) | Farmed (% of total) | Overall % classed as farmed |
|---|---|---|
| Sea bass (21)- Period 1 Sea bass (38) - Period 2 |
4 (19%) 2 (5%) |
10% |
| Sea Bream (12) – Period 1 Sea Bream (23) – Period 2 |
0 (0%) 4 (17%) |
11% |
| Salmon (34) | 5 (15%) | 15% |
The other part of the survey found that while the majority of retailers provided consumers with information of fish about its origin, 15% either gave no or incorrect information. Smaller businesses, such as fishmongers, scored least well in this area.
Table 2 Labelling/Description of Method of Production or Origin by Type of Premises
| Production Method and Origin Information | Catering Supplier / Wholesaler | Fish Market / Auction | Fishmonger | Independent / Small Chain | Supermarket | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not correct or given | 0 | 10 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 57 |
| Correct | 3 | 4 | 18 | 15 | 235 | 275 |
| Partially correct | 2 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 24 | 55 |
| Total | 5 | 27 | 74 | 20 | 261 | 387 |
Dr Mark Woolfe, Head of the Food Authenticity Branch at the FSA, said: 'Although this survey only gives us a snapshot of the market at the time the samples were taken, it does show areas where retailers can tighten up their procedures so that people both know and get what they are paying for.
'The method used in this survey is just one of the novel food authenticity methods that the Agency is developing, and we hope that the survey and availability of the method will deter any future fish food fraud.'
Local authorities, who participated in the survey by collecting samples and information, are or will be following up on the findings.
Notes for Editors
Legislation
- Article 4 of Council Regulation 104/2000 requires that the commercial name of the fish/shellfish, production method and catch area should be displayed at point of retail sale to the final consumer.
- Commission Regulation 2065/2001 provides more detailed requirements on the labelling or description of both production method and geographic origin.
- The Fish Labelling Regulations 2003 (as amended) in England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland, enable both Regulations (104/2000 and 2065/2001) to be enforced.
- Commission Regulation 2065/2001 gives detailed requirements as to how the production method and geographic origin is declared to the consumer.
Collection of Information (Methodology)
Fifteen local authorities from across the United Kingdom participated in the first part of the survey on information of method of production and origin of fish. Local authority officers were provided with a written protocol and a one page sample form. This information was collected between the end of November 2005 and end of January 2006 from large retail outlets, independent outlets, wholesalers, fishmongers, and fish markets or auctions in each authority.
In part 2 of the survey on the authenticity of ‘wild’ fish, a total 128 samples were collected on a national basis by local authority enforcement officers to a detailed sampling protocol developed by the Agency. Survey samples were sourced from around the UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), during two sampling periods. In period 1, 10 LAs (Annex 3) collected samples between Oct 2005 - Dec 2006 and in period 2, 20 LAs (Annex 3) collected samples between Jun – Aug 2006. The small sample sizes indicate only a snapshot at the time of the survey and it is not intended to be representative of the market over time.
Room 245 Aviation House,
125 Kingsway,
London WC2B 6NH
Telephone: 020 7276 8888
Out of hours duty pager: 07623 978344
Fax: 020 7276 8833
Email: press.mailbox@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk