Tag: Fish mislabeling

According to the Queensland Government, investigations into Australian outbreaks suggest that between 45 and 67 percent of people may become ill after eating escolar. The primary problem with escolar lies in its high concentration of indigestible wax esters, which can lead to a specific type of gastrointestinal distress known as keriorrhea. This issue is compounded by the common practice of mislabeling escolar as other, more expensive types of fish.

According to reports, consuming deep-sea fish like escolar can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues in some people due to its high content of naturally occurring, indigestible wax esters. This guide explains what foods contain these specific compounds and how to safely navigate seafood choices to avoid unpleasant side effects.

While U.S. wild-caught butterfish is considered a sustainable and healthy seafood choice, a different fish often mislabeled as 'butterfish,' known as escolar, can cause severe digestive issues. The key to safety is understanding which species you are actually consuming, particularly when ordering at restaurants or sushi bars.