Genetic Barcode Scanners a Solution to the Mislabeling of Our Food?
According to a number of studies performed recently in Canada and the United States, a significant amount of the fish we consume is actually mislabelled. The study performed by CBC's Marketplace found that 1 in 5 fish in Canada is mislabelled.
Some examples of mislabeling in Canada include: farmed fish is being labeled as wild, sandbar shark -- a fish that's not supposed to be sold because it hasn't been approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency -- is labelled as shark, and cod often turns out to be haddock or pollock.
In order to better regulate the labelling of seafood in Canada, the University of Guelph is a participating member in a global DNA barcoding project. Researchers around the world are working to database the genetic code of all fish species, which would allow regulators to better ensure accurate labelling of our seafood.
DNA bar coding, as it is called, looks at gene sequences in the fish's flesh.
''The genetics have been revolutionary," said Stefano Mariani, a marine researcher at University College Dublin, who has published research on the topic. "The DNA bar coding technique is now routine, like processing blood or urine. And we should be doing frequent, random spot checks on seafood like we do on athletes."
With the new genetic techniques, the gene sequence found in a fish sample is compared with an electronic reference library like that maintained by the International Barcode of Life Project, which now covers 8,000 varieties of fish compiled by biologists over the past five years. The testing is now relatively cheap: Commercial labs charge about $2,000 for analyzing 100 fish samples, for an average of $20 apiece, but the cost is under $1 per sample for labs that own the equipment.
As the barcoding technology and the data become more accessible, researchers predict that in 5 years, the tests could be performed at a desktop, and in 10 years, inspectors will be able to carry hand-held detectors.
What are some of the issues around seafood and how will the situation get better?
There are a number of issues that come into play when buying seafood. Without accurate labelling and regulation, consumers could be unknowingly exposing themselves to health risks, perpetuating harm to the environment, or they could just be getting ripped off. The difference in many of of the fish prices can be several dollars per kilogram. Distributors involved in the study accounted for the mistakes as being "human error," but it didn't appear that any of the mistakes resulted in fish being sold for cheaper than it should have been.
