A pilot survey on the identity of fish species as sold through food outlets in Australia
Participating Jurisdictions: Food Standards Australia New Zealand, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia
Fish mislabelling survey commonly asked questions
A collaborative pilot survey was recently conducted on the identity of fish species sold throughout Australia. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) in the Australian Capital Territory and Health Departments in New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia conducted the survey in September 2003.
Sampling was limited to fish supplied as Barramundi and Red Emperor. These fish are nationally available, of a high market value and there is no ambiguity concerning the recognised marketing name of the fish. The Environmental Health Service of the Health Department of Western Australia coordinated the survey planning and sampling. The Western Australia Chemistry Centre performed the analysis using a DNA fingerprinting technique to discriminate between the acquired sample and a verified reference sample of both raw and cooked fish samples. Parallel testing of a number of the samples was also undertaken by Queensland Health Scientific Services using both protein based electrophoresis and a DNA based method. There was a high concordance in results obtained from the different test methods and testing centres.
Both cooked and raw samples of fish were collected from the food service sector while raw fish samples were collected from wholesale and retail outlets. Officers from State and Territory governments purchased the samples of fish from various service establishments as purchased by consumers.
Full Report [ Word | pdf 205 kb ]
Fish mislabelling survey commonly asked questions