Frankenfish ??? 1/2023
The hulabulou over frankenfish barely even got any headline here in the US. It seems there is just not much interest, at least by the media, in how much we are all being led down the garden path when it comes to GMO and our food supply.The “frankenfish” headlines came out from senator Lisa Murkowski, AK who pretty much took the whole thing personally. This coming to a head when the FDA refused to require any labeling on the GMO fish products (big money talks).At this point, in reflecting on the history, If the investors behind frankenfish have nothing to hide then why wouldn't they allow labeling to go forward? After all its just disclosure to the consumer. More information for an informed decision. This is the type of deception that really pisses me off and should make anyone thinking about buying salmon do their homework first.
In this country it is greed and instant gratification that drives things like our food safety or the future of our native species. The people in charge at FDA, USDA and all the way up are never going to make the hard choices necessary to turn the corner on our countries open door policy in regards to GMO so it is up to the individual to shop wisely.The GMO Atlantic salmon have been in production in North America for about 10 years now (AquaBounty) and have worked their way into several brand products. On a scarier note, overseas companies like Mowi ASA, the largest of all salmon farms with setups in Norway, Scotland, Canada, Ireland, Chile and Faroe Islands has partnered with Target to sell their farmed fish. This is ironic since Target was one of the original big US chains banning all GMO fish from its stores at the start of this, 10 years ago.You can be sure that there wont be any fanfare at the launch of the new Mowi products at Target. GMO products never come in with a parade. They just appear on the shelves overnight and hope nobody notices that they are GMO.
Update 2024
As AquaBounty has now been kicked out of all ocean based fish farming operations they have been forced to retreat to the MUCH more expensive land based fish farming methods. They came out with this statement to make it sound like it was their idea of course:
““I’m proud to see AquaBounty reach this important milestone using science and technology to provide sustainable seafood for a growing population,” AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf was quoted as saying in that statement announcing the sale of the first five tonnes. “Our land-based aquaculture technology allows us to bring to market a healthy protein source.Raised in freshwater farms in America’s heartland in Albany, Indiana and in Rollo Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada, AquaBounty’s salmon are free of antibiotics and ocean contaminants. Controlling the growing environment prevents exposure to parasites and pathogens that can lead to disease. AquaBounty’s fish swim and school naturally under the watchful eyes of carefully trained and experienced team members.“Wild salmon fisheries face increasing challenges to their habitat and their health. By locating salmon farming operations on land and following strict biosecurity measures with multiple layers of containment that prevent escapes, AquaBounty helps protect wild salmon populations and native fisheries that are so important to indigenous communities and others.””
In her statement she basically confesses to the fact that AquaBounty salmon up to this point were loaded with antibiotics and or parasites, pathogens, contaminants. And then, at the end, she makes a token nod to what got them kicked out of the oceans in the first place…. These GMO Atlantic salmon are polluting the native fisheries!In a country such as ours, where GMO food is unregulated and unlabeled, what is the consumer to do who wants to eat salmon? Some grocery stores have said they will not let GMO into their stores but it seems others are backpedaling.
From Food And Water Watch:More grocery store bans on GMO salmon would help ensure that customers do not unknowingly eat the fish, said Patty Lovera, assistant director for Food & Water Watch."It's an imperfect way, but it's what they leave us with when they don't require labeling," she said about the government.
In conclusion, Buying salmon out of your local grocery stores sea food case seams to be safe as these are usually marked as to farmed or wild. Also buying by species narrows it down too. So far the main farmed salmon are Atlantic and Pinks (Humpies). As far as I know the only GMO salmons are the variants done to Atlantic salmon. Probably the most danger of getting GMO fish, of any species, would be in purchasing frozen fish, processed fish, canned fish.
Update end of 2024
Its final! AquaBounty has succumbed to public demand, lack of, and is no longer producing any farmed fish. All of their land based facilities are closed and up for sale. Apparently a spokesperson for the company said they have one more facility under construction in Ohio but that project has been on hold since mid 2023.Since its beginning there has been a mounting opposition in the grocery sector with over 60 of the largest stores and chains refusing to carry the product.
That is great news! Now just watch out for the imported fish and stay away from all farmed fish, yuck!
Frankenfish ??? 1/2023
The hulabulou over frankenfish barely even got any headline here in the US. It seems there is just not much interest, at least by the media, in how much we are all being led down the garden path when it comes to GMO and our food supply.
The “frankenfish” headlines came out from senator Lisa Murkowski, AK who pretty much took the whole thing personally. This coming to a head when the FDA refused to require any labeling on the GMO fish products (big money talks).
At this point, in reflecting on the history, If the investors behind frankenfish have nothing to hide then why wouldn't they allow labeling to go forward? After all its just disclosure to the consumer. More information for an informed decision. This is the type of deception that really pisses me off and should make anyone thinking about buying salmon do their homework first.
In this country it is greed and instant gratification that drives things like our food safety or the future of our native species. The people in charge at FDA, USDA and all the way up are never going to make the hard choices necessary to turn the corner on our countries open door policy in regards to GMO so it is up to the individual to shop wisely.
The GMO Atlantic salmon have been in production in North America for about 10 years now (AquaBounty) and have worked their way into several brand products. On a scarier note, overseas companies like Mowi ASA, the largest of all salmon farms with setups in Norway, Scotland, Canada, Ireland, Chile and Faroe Islands has partnered with Target to sell their farmed fish. This is ironic since Target was one of the original big US chains banning all GMO fish from its stores at the start of this, 10 years ago.
You can be sure that there wont be any fanfare at the launch of the new Mowi products at Target. GMO products never come in with a parade. They just appear on the shelves overnight and hope nobody notices that they are GMO.
Update 2024
As AquaBounty has now been kicked out of all ocean based fish farming operations they have been forced to retreat to the MUCH more expensive land based fish farming methods. They came out with this statement to make it sound like it was their idea of course:
““I’m proud to see AquaBounty reach this important milestone using science and technology to provide sustainable seafood for a growing population,” AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf was quoted as saying in that statement announcing the sale of the first five tonnes. “Our land-based aquaculture technology allows us to bring to market a healthy protein source.
Raised in freshwater farms in America’s heartland in Albany, Indiana and in Rollo Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada, AquaBounty’s salmon are free of antibiotics and ocean contaminants. Controlling the growing environment prevents exposure to parasites and pathogens that can lead to disease. AquaBounty’s fish swim and school naturally under the watchful eyes of carefully trained and experienced team members.
“Wild salmon fisheries face increasing challenges to their habitat and their health. By locating salmon farming operations on land and following strict biosecurity measures with multiple layers of containment that prevent escapes, AquaBounty helps protect wild salmon populations and native fisheries that are so important to indigenous communities and others.””
In her statement she basically confesses to the fact that AquaBounty salmon up to this point were loaded with antibiotics and or parasites, pathogens, contaminants. And then, at the end, she makes a token nod to what got them kicked out of the oceans in the first place…. These GMO Atlantic salmon are polluting the native fisheries!
In a country such as ours, where GMO food is unregulated and unlabeled, what is the consumer to do who wants to eat salmon? Some grocery stores have said they will not let GMO into their stores but it seems others are backpedaling.
From Food And Water Watch:
More grocery store bans on GMO salmon would help ensure that customers do not unknowingly eat the fish, said Patty Lovera, assistant director for Food & Water Watch.
"It's an imperfect way, but it's what they leave us with when they don't require labeling," she said about the government.
In conclusion, Buying salmon out of your local grocery stores sea food case seams to be safe as these are usually marked as to farmed or wild. Also buying by species narrows it down too. So far the main farmed salmon are Atlantic and Pinks (Humpies). As far as I know the only GMO salmons are the variants done to Atlantic salmon. Probably the most danger of getting GMO fish, of any species, would be in purchasing frozen fish, processed fish, canned fish.
Update end of 2024
Its final! AquaBounty has succumbed to public demand, lack of, and is no longer producing any farmed fish. All of their land based facilities are closed and up for sale. Apparently a spokesperson for the company said they have one more facility under construction in Ohio but that project has been on hold since mid 2023.
Since its beginning there has been a mounting opposition in the grocery sector with over 60 of the largest stores and chains refusing to carry the product.
That is great news! Now just watch out for the imported fish and stay away from all farmed fish, yuck!