A bait-and-switch investigation finds retailers run afoul of consumer protection laws.
An investigation by New York’s Attorney General that targeted 155 stores across 29 supermarket brands found mislabelled seafood about a quarter of the time.
The “Fishy Business, Seafood Fraud and Mislabeling in New York State Super Markets” report used DNA testing to determine if what was on the label was actually being sold.
“It’s clear that seafood fraud isn’t just a fluke,” said New York’s Attorney General, Barbara D. Underwood after after 77 of 286 samples came back mislabelled. She announced announced her office would be “taking enforcement action” against at least five supermarkets.
“While disappointed in the report’s findings, the BSB is pleased to see the accompanying enforcement,” said Lisa Weddig, Secretary of the Better Seafood Board.
“Here we have regulators putting the focus and effort needed into an investigation that goes beyond a press release. Work that uses new resources and existing laws to track down the source of fish fraud can and will have a real impact in the marketplace.”
The Attorney General’s report included a section on what leads to mislabelling, clearly recognising the need for a multifaceted understanding of the issue in order to address it. The report notes “intentional fraud,” “negligence” and “mistake/error” can all contribute to mislabelling.
It also highlights that laws already on the books, “hold sellers of seafood and other retail products strictly liable for the accuracy of their marketing representations.”
