A five-month Globe investigation revealed that Massachusetts consumers routinely, and unwittingly, buy undesirable seafood — or other fish that is simply not what it is advertised to be. Of the 183 samples tested by the Globe, 48 percent were mislabeled. The Globe focused most of its testing on certain species that have been identified by regulators as more likely to be mislabeled.
Filter the results by moving or zooming the map
Merchants with mislabeled seafood
Boston
Chinatown
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Unsure how substitution occurred
Chinatown
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
Fenway
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- likely a cheaper, hybrid farmed bass
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier, planned to change name on menu
Longwood Medical Area
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Hake
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper species from Southern Africa
- Store response:
- Switched supplier, now serves Pacific cod at its 90+ restaurants
Dorchester
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Flounder
- DNA result:
- Swai
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species
- Store response:
- Blamed clerical error
Jamaica Plain
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Fresh cod
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- frozen, not local, and a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Unaware it was not fresh, supplier confirmed it is frozen Pacific cod
Faneuil Hall
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Fresh cod
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Unsure how substitution occurred
Jamaica Plain
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Ocean perch
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Acknowledged substitution, menu now lists ocean perch
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Haddock
Chinatown
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Flounder
- DNA result:
- Swai
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species
- Store response:
- Does not order Vietnamese catfish (swai)
Haymarket
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Could not be reached
Chinatown
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Sole
- DNA result:
- Swai
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species
- Store response:
- Blamed chef error
Back Bay
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Apologized for mistake
Park Plaza
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Atlantic cod
- DNA result:
- Atlantic cod
Leather District
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Wild black cod
- DNA result:
- Sablefish
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled
- Store response:
- Ordered black cod from supplier, thought it was acceptable name
Leather District
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- King salmon
- DNA result:
- King salmon
Chinatown
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Did not return calls
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Salmon
- DNA result:
- Salmon
South Boston
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
Roslindale
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed the fish is escolar, lists both names on menu
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed hybrid bass, not wild
- Store response:
- Thought it was permissible to label hybrid bass as striped bass
Cape & Islands
Bourne
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Sole
- DNA result:
- Yellowtail flounder
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled, but FDA plans to add yellowtail to list of acceptable names for sole by the end of the year.
- Store response:
- Blamed supplier, said sole and flounder are basically the same
Mashpee
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Atlantic halibut
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
Nantucket
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Fresh cod
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- frozen, not local, and a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Could not get fresh cod, menu already printed
Aquinnah
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Thought fish was correct species, contracts out sushi operations
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Thought fish was correct species, contracts out sushi operations
Hyannis Port
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Did not return calls
Chatham
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Sole
- DNA result:
- Yellowtail flounder
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled, but FDA plans to add yellowtail to list of acceptable names for sole by the end of the year
- Store response:
- Blamed supplier, said sole and flounder are the same
Falmouth
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Did not return calls
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- likely a cheaper, hybrid farmed bass, not wild
- Store response:
- Did not return calls
Wellfleet
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Purchased freshest available fish
Nantucket
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed hybrid bass, not wild
- Store response:
- Confirmed fish is hybrid, staff is supposed to inform customers
Nantucket
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Fresh cod
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- not local, and a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Blamed old menu
Oak Bluffs
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Unaware of the problem, planned to investigate, contracts out sushi operation
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- likely a cheaper, hybrid farmed bass, not wild
- Store response:
- Unaware of the problem, planned to investigate, contracts out sushi operation
Dennis
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Sole
- DNA result:
- Alaska plaice
- Substituted species is...
- not local
- Store response:
- Supplier invoice says frozen sole
Edgartown
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Sushi contractor said escolar has become known as white tuna
Eastham
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Atlantic cod
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled
- Store response:
- Blamed clerical error
Cataumet
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Fresh cod
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- frozen, not local, and a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Confirmed use of frozen cod when fresh not available
West
Bedford
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
Worcester
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed the fish is escolar, said it is known as white tuna.
Framingham
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Crimson snapper
- Substituted species is...
- a less expensive species
- Store response:
- Blamed supplier, restaurant now closed
Wellesley
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Alaskan butterfish
- DNA result:
- Sablefish
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled
- Store response:
- Did not like the sound of sablefish, thought butterfish was acceptable name
Brookline
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed the fish is escolar
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed hybrid bass, not wild
- Store response:
- Confirmed the fish is a hybrid bass
Worcester
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed the fish is escolar, planned to change name on menu
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed hybrid bass, not wild
- Store response:
- Confirmed it is farm-raised hybrid bass, planned to change name on menu
Framingham
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Scrod (haddock)
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- frozen, not local, and usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Blamed supplier for mistake
Natick
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Confirmed fish is tilapia
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Believed white tuna is an American name for escolar
Brookline
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- White bass
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed hybrid bass, not wild
- Store response:
- Confirmed fish is hybrid bass
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed fish is escolar, planned to take off menu
Westborough
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Yellowfin tuna
- DNA result:
- Southern bluefin tuna
- Substituted species is...
- an overfished species
- Store response:
- Blamed former supplier
Natick
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Sea bream
- Store response:
- Menu lists Japanese red snapper, which manager said is sea bream
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Bluefin tuna
- DNA result:
- Bluefin tuna
Chestnut Hill
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Super white tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Menu lists "escalor" and super white tuna, blamed suppliers for using both names
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Sea bream
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled
- Store response:
- Blamed clerical error
Wellesley
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Sole
- DNA result:
- Yellowtail flounder
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled, but FDA plans to add yellowtail to list of acceptable names for sole by the end of the year
- Store response:
- Many species of flounder are referred to as sole
Brookline
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed fish is escolar, believed white tuna label is industry standard
Newton
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Believed white tuna is escolar
South
Hingham
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Substituted haddock when cod is not available
Plymouth
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Scrod (haddock)
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- frozen, not local, and a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Confirmed switch to Pacific Cod, menu not updated
Attleboro
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Scrod (haddock)
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- frozen, not local, and usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Haddock name was clerical error
Mattapoisett
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Scrod (haddock)
- DNA result:
- Atlantic cod
- Store response:
- Servers were not informed about what was bought at auction that day
Plymouth
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Supplier labeled it white tuna
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
Foxborough
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed fish is escolar, changed menu to list item as both white tuna and escolar
Plymouth
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Did not return calls
Foxborough
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Lane snapper
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier
Swansea
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Declined to comment
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Declined to comment
North
Salem
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Colorado snapper
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier, confirmed vendor supplied different snapper
Newburyport
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Confirmed switch to haddock, menu not updated
Rockport
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Cod
- Substituted species is...
- mislabeled
- Store response:
- Fish arrived without skin, hard to tell the difference
Peabody
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- New England fish and chips (cod)
- DNA result:
- Pacific cod
- Substituted species is...
- not local, and a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Name refers to New England style of preparation and the batter used
Burlington
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Blamed supplier, pulled this product from the shelves
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Crimson snapper
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper species
- Store response:
- Blamed supplier for mixing boxes of crimson snapper in with red snapper
Saugus
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Unaware of the problem, planned to investigate.
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Unaware of the problem, planned to investigate.
Peabody
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Substituted species is...
- usually less expensive
- Store response:
- Blamed clerical error
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Scrod (Atlantic cod)
- DNA result:
- Atlantic cod
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Fluke
- DNA result:
- Fluke
Burlington
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Scrod (Atlantic cod)
- DNA result:
- Atlantic cod
Cambridge
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Sushi chef told owner that red snapper and tilapia are the same
Salem
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Blamed supplier for calling escolar a form of white tuna
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Verbally ordered striped bass
Somerville
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Striped bass
- DNA result:
- European sea bass
- Store response:
- Confirmed it is Greek sea bass, planned to change menu
Woburn
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Confirmed the fish is escolar
Somerville
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Wild Atlantic salmon
- DNA result:
- Atlantic salmon
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Acknowldeged it was farmed salmon, blamed menu designer
Haverhill
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- White tuna
- DNA result:
- Escolar
- Substituted species is...
- a cause of severe gastrointestinal problems
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier, planned to change name or stop serving the fish
- Mislabeled
- Item ordered:
- Red snapper
- DNA result:
- Tilapia
- Substituted species is...
- a cheaper, farmed species, not wild
- Store response:
- Ordered correctly from supplier, planned to change name or stop serving the fish
Correctly labeled seafood
Boston
Waterfront
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Atlantic cod
- DNA result:
- Atlantic cod
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Chilean sea bass
- DNA result:
- Chilean sea bass
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Cod
Cape & Islands
Provincetown
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Tuna
- DNA result:
- Tuna
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Haddock
Hyannis
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Albacore tuna
- DNA result:
- Albacore tuna
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Mahi mahi
- DNA result:
- Mahi mahi
West
Ashland
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Salmon
- DNA result:
- Salmon
Newtonville
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Salmon
- DNA result:
- Salmon
South
Weymouth
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Flounder
- DNA result:
- Flounder
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Cod
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Mahi mahi
- DNA result:
- Mahi mahi
New Bedford
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Flounder
- DNA result:
- Flounder
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Cod
Brockton
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Sockeye salmon
- DNA result:
- Sockeye salmon
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Cod
North Attleboro
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Haddock
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Cod
- DNA result:
- Cod
North
Rockport
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Sole
- DNA result:
- Sole
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Haddock
- DNA result:
- Haddock
Bedford
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Albacore tuna
- DNA result:
- Albacore tuna
- Correct
- Item ordered:
- Atlantic cod
- DNA result:
- Atlantic cod
Source: Biodiversity Institute of Ontario; Therion International; Jacob Lowenstein, faculty fellow at Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History; FDA; restaurants
