Extra fishy: your tinned mackerel may not be what you think it is
Substitution with jack mackerel, a different species, because of dwindling stocks is criticised by consumer group Which?
TL;DR
- Brands like Princes and supermarket own labels are replacing traditional mackerel with jack mackerel in tins.
- Jack mackerel is a different species with a different flavor, texture, and nutritional values compared to traditional mackerel.
- Jack mackerel contains roughly half the amount of omega-3 fatty acids found in traditional mackerel.
- The substitution is occurring due to overfishing crises affecting traditional mackerel stocks.
- Consumer group Which? describes this as 'skimpflation,' where a cheaper ingredient is substituted without clear consumer understanding.
- Jack mackerel is significantly cheaper than true mackerel, costing about a third of the price.
- Labeling rules were updated to allow jack mackerel to be marketed as 'jack mackerel' instead of its previous designations.
- Marine Conservation Society rates north-east Atlantic mackerel as 'red,' a 'fish to avoid' due to overfishing.
- Retailers like Lidl and Waitrose are making these switches, with Waitrose suspending mackerel sales altogether.