DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇭 Thailand /Environment & Climate

DNA tests confirm invasive tilapia in canned products, contradicting government claims

From Bangkok Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • DNA tests confirm canned products seized from a factory in Samut Sakhon contain blackchin tilapia, an invasive species.
  • The findings contradict earlier government claims that the fish was Nile tilapia, raising concerns among opposition lawmakers and the BioThai Foundation.
  • Authorities are urged to explain how the invasive fish entered the food supply and to implement stronger measures to control its ecological impact.

DNA tests have confirmed that fish found in canned products seized from a factory in Samut Sakhon are blackchin tilapia, an invasive species, according to opposition lawmakers and the BioThai Foundation. This finding directly contradicts previous claims made by the government, which had identified the fish as Nile tilapia.

The findings contradict conclusions issued by the Department of Fisheries and the Agriculture Ministry, which had identified the fish as Nile tilapia.

— Opposition Lawmakers and BioThai FoundationThis quote highlights the discrepancy between the DNA test results and the official government identification of the fish.

The samples, initially seized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), were analyzed by the International Center of Excellence in Seafood Science and Innovation at Prince of Songkla University. The results identified the fish as Sarotherodon melanotheron, commonly known as blackchin tilapia. A separate canned fish sample labeled as sardines was also found to contain Nile tilapia, adding to the confusion and potential mislabeling issues.

Opposition MPs Natcha Boonchai-insawat and Nattapong Sumonotham stated that these conflicting findings could undermine public confidence in the authorities' management of the invasive fish problem. They called for more robust measures beyond simply encouraging consumption of blackchin tilapia, emphasizing the need to limit its ecological damage.

The conflicting findings risked undermining public confidence in the authorities' handling of the issue.

— Nattapong SumonothamAn opposition MP expresses concern about the impact of the conflicting reports on public trust.

The controversy surfaced in May when the FDA confiscated over 12,000 cans suspected of containing tilapia, despite being labeled as sardines. The BioThai Foundation highlighted that the recent test results amplify concerns about mislabeled fish and the potential entry of blackchin tilapia into the broader food supply chain. Both the People's Party and BioThai are demanding explanations from the FDA, Department of Fisheries, and Agriculture Ministry regarding the presence of blackchin tilapia in canned food, accountability for those responsible, and improved transparency in food safety oversight.

The latest test results reinforced concerns about fish being mislabelled and blackchin tilapia entering the food supply chain.

— BioThai FoundationThe foundation emphasizes the implications of the findings for food labeling and the invasive species' presence in the food chain.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Bangkok Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog