July 06, 2015
Study Reveals Two Thirds of "Tuna" Sold In US Is Not Even Tuna
From sushi spots to grocery stores, what you think may be the common fish is actually seemingly dangerous escolar.
A new study unearthed what retailers and restaurants have been keeping hush hush about their "tuna" products. Nearly two thirds of the "tuna" being sold in the US is escolar, a fish that can easily masquerade as tuna without detection.
Because this type of fish feeds on a fatty acid which humans should not ingest, escolar has been linked to serious gastrointestinal cramping and diarrhea. However, escolar is still eaten in massive quantities by consumers. It is often disguised as "king tuna", "super white tuna", "oilfish" or "waloo" on restaurant menus. After eating, some people have referred to it as the "ex-lax fish".
While it is non-toxic, the digestive chaos escolar can cause is definitely not something you want to pay for. Especially if you were under the impression you were getting tuna. How do you spot the difference between the two?
Escolar has a more opaque and shimmery look to it then tuna, and is more white in hue. Tuna is more translucent and fleshy.
[caption id="attachment_96597" align="aligncenter" width="782"]
Albacore Tuna Vs. Escolar[/caption]
If you're in a restaurant and unable to tell if you're tuna is the real deal, pace yourself. Don't order too many sashimi or under 5 oz. if you're concerned.
What are your thoughts on this shocking new study? Have you ever had a bad experience from what you thought was tuna?
A new study unearthed what retailers and restaurants have been keeping hush hush about their "tuna" products. Nearly two thirds of the "tuna" being sold in the US is escolar, a fish that can easily masquerade as tuna without detection.
Because this type of fish feeds on a fatty acid which humans should not ingest, escolar has been linked to serious gastrointestinal cramping and diarrhea. However, escolar is still eaten in massive quantities by consumers. It is often disguised as "king tuna", "super white tuna", "oilfish" or "waloo" on restaurant menus. After eating, some people have referred to it as the "ex-lax fish".
While it is non-toxic, the digestive chaos escolar can cause is definitely not something you want to pay for. Especially if you were under the impression you were getting tuna. How do you spot the difference between the two?
Escolar has a more opaque and shimmery look to it then tuna, and is more white in hue. Tuna is more translucent and fleshy.
[caption id="attachment_96597" align="aligncenter" width="782"]
Albacore Tuna Vs. Escolar[/caption]
If you're in a restaurant and unable to tell if you're tuna is the real deal, pace yourself. Don't order too many sashimi or under 5 oz. if you're concerned.
What are your thoughts on this shocking new study? Have you ever had a bad experience from what you thought was tuna?