Some takeout restaurants are substituting catfish for traditional fish in their “fish and chips” meals to save money, according to reports. Customers seeking a classic fish meal may unknowingly receive pangasius or river cobbler instead of the expected fish varieties like cod or haddock. This deceptive practice is challenging to detect as investigations rely on costly DNA testing and specific leads.
While not a widespread issue, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute acknowledges the presence of deceitful practices among some takeout establishments. Catfish, a safe and commonly farmed species imported from South East Asia, is being used due to its significantly lower cost compared to authentic fish types like cod and haddock.
The potato industry anticipates upcoming price hikes due to the repercussions of the conflict in Iran. Scott Walker, GB Potatoes’ chief executive, emphasized the delayed effects of increased costs on the industry, predicting inevitable price rises in the near future.
The fish and chip sector faces immediate challenges from escalating expenses in energy, cooking oil, and fish supply. An investigation into the swapping of catfish in place of advertised fish was initiated following a complaint from a chip shop owner in Liverpool, highlighting the detrimental impact on honest businesses.
DNA testing performed at Liverpool John Moores University confirmed that three out of ten sampled takeaways were serving catfish instead of the promised fish species. Professor Stefano Mariani, overseeing the tests, highlighted the difficulty for the general public to distinguish between different fish fillets, emphasizing the need for regulatory scrutiny to ensure accurate food labeling.
National Trading Standards categorized the fish substitution as a food labeling concern, suggesting that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) should investigate. The FSA indicated that local authorities would likely lead investigations into isolated cases of fish mislabeling within chip shops.