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DNA Testing Snags Fish Imposters

Restaurants often swap cheap fish for pricey ones on menu

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2009 8:38 AM CDT
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(Newser) – If you ordered grouper ($12 per pound) at a restaurant, and the chef slipped you catfish ($2.50 per pound) instead, could you tell the difference? Most diners can’t, which is where Mahmood Shivji comes in. Shivji’s a DNA researcher, who’s developed a method of testing the DNA in seafood dishes. In the past two years, he’s analyzed more than 100 restaurant plates, and discovered more than half were misleading customers, the Miami Herald reports.

Shivji originally developed the technique to expose fishermen who were illegally hunting endangered shark species, then cutting them up to hide identifying features. But a local TV station convinced him to turn his talents to busting fish swappers. Soon stations around the country were calling for his services, mailing him frozen fish samples of what was supposed to be snapper, but turned out to be tilapia. Now he’s convinced it’s a huge problem, both because it defrauds consumers and complicates ocean conservation efforts.

Red snapper, foreground, caught by commercial fishermen in the fall of 2008 is boxed at a dock in Mount Pleasant, SC, before being taken to market to be sold to restaurants.
Red snapper, foreground, caught by commercial fishermen in the fall of 2008 is boxed at a dock in Mount Pleasant, SC, before being taken to market to be sold to restaurants.   (AP Photo/South Atlantic Fishery Management Council)
Can you really be sure what fish that is? Mahmood Shivji can.
Can you really be sure what fish that is? Mahmood Shivji can.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Snarfeh
Aug 26, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
It already has government intervention. It is false advertising. A restaurant advertises one fish, serves another certainly falls under false advertising or....wait for it...bait and hook tactics....
Unaffiliated
Aug 25, 2009 9:53 AM CDT
Snarfeh, I'm not looking to get cheated. But I don't think this requires government intervention. We have many necessary consumer protections. This is not one of them.
coco-jin
Aug 25, 2009 3:15 AM CDT
"Farm-raised" catfish is actually quite mild. But I hear ya on the gameyness of free and easy catfish.

 
DNA • fish • restaurant • seafood

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