Investigating seafood substitution problems and consequences in Taiwan using molecular barcoding and deep microbiome...

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Genetics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Seafood substitution fraud is a global issue, particularly in Asia-Pacific cuisines.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence and impact of seafood fraud in Taiwan.
• Consumer trust and safety are compromised by inaccurate seafood labeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rates and types of seafood substitution fraud in Taiwan.
• To identify specific seafood products vulnerable to mislabeling.
• To explore potential health implications of seafood fraud through microbiome analysis.

Main Methods:

• DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial MT-CO1 gene was used to identify seafood species.
• 127 seafood samples were collected from accessible restaurants and markets in Taiwan.
• Deep microbiome profiling was conducted on selected sushi and sashimi samples.

Main Results:

• A significant mislabeling rate of 18.9% (95% CI: 12.5-26.8%) was found among the collected seafood samples.
• Snapper (84.6%), cod (25%), and surimi products (100%) showed particularly high rates of fraudulent substitution.
• Elevated levels of Pseudomonas were detected in tilapia sashimi mislabeled as snapper, indicating a potential health concern.

Conclusions:

• Seafood mislabeling is a substantial issue in Taiwan, affecting nearly one in five samples.
• Certain fish and product types, including snapper, cod, and surimi, are highly susceptible to fraud.
• The presence of Pseudomonas in mislabeled raw seafood highlights potential food safety risks for consumers.