“We are confident that the Administration’s coordinated response, focusing on both education and enforcement, including examining the possibility of integrating fish genetics testing, will ensure that that the fish retail marketplace in Massachusetts adequately protects both businesses and consumers alike.”
These efforts follow a Globe report in October that uncovered widespread seafood misrepresentation at area restaurants and lax government oversight. The five-month investigation revealed that Massachusetts consumers routinely and unwittingly overpay for less valued fish or purchase seafood that is different from what is advertised.
The Globe hired a lab in Canada to conduct DNA tests on fish that reporters purchased across the state. The results showed that 48 percent, or 87 of the 183 seafood samples, were sold with the wrong species name. Such misnaming can put consumers at risk of suffering allergic reactions, violating dietary restrictions, or ingesting chemicals banned in the United States.
Massachusetts Commissioner for Public Health John Auerbach said in prepared testimony that his agency is also launching a statewide education and outreach effort aimed at alerting local officials and industry partners about the laws related to the sale of fish and fish products. The campaign will include developing informational brochures to be distributed to wholesalers and local health inspectional services, hosting educational seminars, and working with the industry, including Legal Sea Foods, to design and conduct pilot programs.
“The pilot programs will include enhancing trace back procedures including the use of barcoding to follow fish products through the production system and since Legal Sea Foods is also a wholesale distributor in Massachusetts, DPH can pilot wholesale to retail in one or two communities in partnership with local health/municipal inspectors,” Auerbach said.
