Fake grouper in Florida

If you want grouper in Florida, good luck. A recent test found 75% of fish sold as grouper was really something else.

The great seafood masquerade goes on...and on...and on. Today it's fake grouper, last year it was fake red snapper. This is not the way to build consumer confidence in seafood.

If you want to know how to tell if someones selling you a fake grouper, here's some advice from the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Commissioner Charles Bronson.

The Dept. will work hard to tell you that Florida seafood is best, even though they know it might not be what the label says. It's an interesting dual mission, promote seafood but also stop fraud. But with a name like Charles Bronson, the Commissioner ought to be up to the task.

Wanna learn more about seafood fraud? The FDA has some advice. It's a bit intimidating, all the ways can someone take your money and give you less than you paid for? There's illegal substitution, legal market names that can be misleading, water added to increase weight, breaded fish that has more bread than fish, etc. etc.

The best way to get what you're paying for is to be a smart consumer, and who has time for that. Perhaps even better, get to know your seafood sellers and find one that you trust.

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