Study: About 33 percent of fish in US is mislabeled.

The story over mislabeled fish in restaurants received broad coverage, with multiple outlets citing a lack of oversight as one of the contributing factors. Most coverage also featured descriptions of common substitutes for more expensive fish, as well as the variances by business type and region.

        The New York Times (2/22, A13, Johnson, Subscription Publication, 1.68M) reports that according to the results of a genetic survey by the nonprofit ocean protection group Oceana, "about one-third of the 1,215 fish samples bought, from 2010 to 2012," were labeled as the wrong species. For example, "In the 120 samples labeled red snapper and bought for testing nationwide...28 different species of fish were found, including 17 that were not even in the snapper family." Oceana found that sushi restaurants were the most likely to mislabel fish, while grocery stores were the most likely to sell the advertised food. The instances of mislabeling fish also varied by region; Southern California had a false label rate of around 52 percent, and in New York, "fish that was not really tuna was being passed off as tuna in 94 percent of the samples taken." In addition, "what the study found pervasive was mislabeling...by retail outlets using a name that consumers are more likely to want to buy."

        NBC Nightly News (2/21, story 9, 0:40, Williams, 7.86M) reported, "Sometimes it's cheaper fish being sold as something fancier, like red snapper. But some mislabeled substitutes could be dangerous, with high levels of mercury or toxins that can make you sick."

        USA Today (2/21, Weise, 1.71M) reported that Beth Lowell, who coordinated the survey for Oceana, said, "Honestly, it was a surprise...Everywhere we looked for seafood fraud, we found it. It's consistent around the country." The breakdown by venue was "At sushi restaurants, 74% had at least one sample come back mislabeled. At restaurants, 38% had at least one problem sample; in grocery stores, 18% did." USA Today notes that "Selling one kind of fish under another name is illegal under FDA regulations, but there is little federal oversight."

        The Los Angeles Times (2/22, Lopez, 692K) reports, "Oceana said the most egregious substitution for red snapper was tilefish, one of four fish the federal government warns has high mercury levels." In a statement, Oceana said, "Our findings demonstrate that a comprehensive and transparent traceability system - one that tracks fish from boat to plate - must be established at the national level...At the same time, increased inspection and testing of our seafood, specifically for mislabeling, and stronger federal and state enforcement of existing laws combating fraud are needed to reverse these disturbing trends."