![]() There’s also concern over the mercury levels found in swai fish and other heavy metal residues.įactory-farmed fish advocates maintain that raising fish on farms, instead of capturing strained populations in the wild, is better for everyone. In these fish farms are a host of chemicals, including anti-parasitic drugs, antibiotics and disinfectants. Plus, fish farms come with a whole lot of waste products that can’t be dumped into rivers legally. And how are factory-farmed fish treated for disease? If you guessed antibiotics, you’re right. When these fish become distressed, like humans, they’re more prone to disease. They don’t enjoy being in small, tight spaces - yes, even your goldfish hates it. Just like factory farmed meats, when fish are mass produced out of the wild, there are repercussions.įor starters, factory-farmed fish are distressed. Factory Farmed Fish and Widespread Antibioticsīut the biggest issue with swai fish is the fact that it’s factory farmed. ![]() It’s pretty impressive that the lax handling was caught, however only about 2 percent of imported seafood is ever tested for antibiotic drug residue.Īnd one study found that Vietnamese imported fish like swai had the greatest number of health violations of imported seafood in the U.S. The fish hadn’t met federal inspection requirements. In fact, in the summer of 2016, nearly 26,000 pounds of swai fillets that were sold at Aldi’s stores in America were recalled. catfish industry that issues like polluted water are being addressed in Asia. While swai fish still has to meet inspection requirements, doubts remain among the U.S. That’s a problem because antibiotics that are banned in the U.S. are often found in fish products from Vietnam, along with bacteria like E. Lax Inspection Rules and Health Violationsīecause swai fish isn’t technically considered catfish, it isn’t subject to the same stringent inspection rules as other imported catfish. (For these reasons, it’s one of the fish you should never eat.) 1. Why is swai fish bad for you? The main reasons to never eat swai fish include the presence of dangerous microbes, the use of antibiotics to treat sick fish, the filthy water conditions and the constant mislabeling of swai. This is not because of the nutritional content, but because of the way swai is typically raised and fed. Of course, the ingredients you use to cook and coat swai fillets will change the nutrition content, typically adding more fats, carbs and sodium. Nutrition FactsĪccording to the USDA, one 4-ounce fillet of swai provides about:Īccording to research conducted at Purdue University, swai (or pangasius) contains 17 milligrams of EPA plus DHA for every 100 grams of fish. In these states, where catfish is a big industry, it’s illegal to sell swai. You won’t find the fish in in Alabama, Louisiana or Mississippi, though. ![]() ![]() In 2003, Congress passed a law stating that only American catfish could be labeled as such, prompting a variety of names to flood the market, though today, the Vietnamese fish industry seems to have settled on swai. The abundance of names come from an identity crisis swai fish had in the early 2000s, when it still was sold in the U.S. under the name of “catfish.” It’s also called Vietnamese catfish, basa fish and iridescent shark, but it’s neither a basa nor a type of shark. It’s a freshwater fish that’s native to Vietnamese rivers and a type of catfish. Swai fish is a type of white fish with a mild flavor and flaky texture. Plus, would you believe that often when you pay top dollar for catfish, grouper, flounder and sole, you are actually eating factory-farmed swai?Īfter you read about the many farming and health issues surrounding swai, you may be more careful about what types of fish you choose to consume in the future. Swai fish costs only about $2 per pound, but it’s much costlier when you consider what it could be doing to your health. Many consumers, including food purveyors, gravitate to swai fish due to its lower cost, but there are major problems with this fish that you need to know about. But fish often come with a hefty price tag, which is why consumers tend to go for more affordable options like swai fish instead. Certain seafood picks serve as muscle-building protein foods and some even provide ample doses of healthy fats like omega-3s. Consuming certain types of wild-caught fish can be extremely beneficial to your health.
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