China at centre of new salmon fraud claims
A NEW salmon fraud scandal has hit China. Following allegations a few weeks ago that unchecked Nordic salmon was being smuggled into the country through Vietnam, there are now claims that farmed trout from an area in neighbouring Tibet (known as China’s Qinghai province) is being passed off as European bred salmon.
According to a survey by the Chinese state broadcaster, up to a third of salmon sold in China is actually rainbow trout and the claim has led to demand for clearer labelling.
Gu Zhongyi, a nutritionist at Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, told the website China.org: ‘Traditionally, salmon refers to Atlantic salmon, and it is different from trout. It is common for trout to be sold as Atlantic salmon, though.
‘Labelling should be regulated so consumers know whether they have bought Atlantic salmon or trout.’
It is claimed that dealers are repackaging Tibetan trout and labelling it as imported European and South American salmon. The country of origin is often listed as Norway, Denmark or Chile.