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Marketplace shrimp mislabeling in North Carolina
Morgan L Korzik1, Hannah M Austin1, Brittany Cooper1
1The Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 13, 2020
Summary
Thirty-four percent of shrimp sold as "local" in North Carolina was mislabeled, with imported whiteleg shrimp often substituted for native species. This deception impacts consumer trust and harms local fisheries.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Food Science
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Seafood mislabeling is a global issue, leading to economic fraud, consumer distrust, and potential health risks.
- North Carolina's coastal and inland markets were examined for shrimp mislabeling prevalence.
- The economic and ecological impacts of mislabeling affect both consumers and local fishing communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the extent of shrimp mislabeling in North Carolina.
- To identify the species commonly mislabeled as "local" in the state.
- To assess differences in mislabeling rates between coastal and inland regions.
Main Methods:
- DNA barcoding was employed to determine the species identity of 106 shrimp samples.
- Shrimp were purchased from 60 vendors across North Carolina, advertised as "local."
- Species identification was compared against labeling claims.
Main Results:
- A significant 34% of the "local" shrimp samples were found to be mislabeled.
- No significant difference in mislabeling rates was observed between coastal and inland counties.
- One-third of mislabeled products were identified as whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), an imported farmed species.
Conclusions:
- Widespread shrimp mislabeling occurs in North Carolina, impacting consumer trust and the local economy.
- Imported farmed shrimp, such as whiteleg shrimp, are frequently substituted for local, wild-caught varieties.
- This practice negatively affects North Carolina fishers and raises concerns about the ecological consequences of imported species.
