A retail market survey on fish fraud from Southern Italy using DNA barcoding

Consumption of seafood, which includes both wild and aquaculture products, has increased several-fold during the last 50 years. Species substitution, in which low-value fish are replaced with high-value fish, is one of the prominent phenomena happening in the international seafood trade and the leading cause of fraud in the fishery sector, leading to both economic and health concerns. In this study, DNA barcoding was employed to identify 78 fishery product samples collected from markets and supermarkets located in the Apulia region (Southern Italy) at the genus or species level. Non-compliance between the species detected and the species declared in the label was detected in 5 (6.41%) samples. This study highlights the need for further investigations regarding the traceability and assessment of food product authentication. Indeed, accurate taxonomic assignment and a robust traceability system are essential tools for tackling food adulteration problems, providing transparency, and protecting food safety.