Calif. firm to pay $1m in fish mislabeling case

News 14:10 13/09/2014
(SeafoodSource) A U.S. court in Los Angeles on Monday ordered a California company to pay USD 1 million in fines and community service payments for knowingly mislabeling frozen pangasius fillets as Paradise grouper, Falcon Baie grouper and ponga.

The sentence stems from the conviction of Seafood Solutions last July on a single count of selling fish in violation of the U.S. Lacey Act. Co-defendants Chau-Shing (Duke) Lin of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Christopher Ragone of Santa Ana, Calif., also pleaded guilty at the time — Lin to once count of violating the Lacey Act and one count of misbranding food and Ragone to two counts of misbranding food. They are due to be sentenced on 13 February.

On Monday, Seafood Solutions was fined USD 700,000 and ordered to donate USD 300,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Additionally, the company was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to forfeit all remaining inventory of mislabeled fish and to develop and implement a corporate compliance plan.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in approximately June 2004 Seafood Solutions began to sell a fish it labeled “ponga.” The fish was Pangasius hypophthalmus, a catfish-like species from Southeast Asia commonly known as tra or swai. The fish was then sold under the brand names “Paradise Grouper” and “Falcon Baie Grouper.”

Between July 2005 and February 2006, a wholesale distributor that had purchased the fish returned USD 411,194 worth of the product labeled as Paradise Grouper, Falcon Baie Grouper or ponga because the distributor’s customer mistakenly believed that the fish was grouper. Seafood Solutions agreed to be invoiced for and received the returned product, knowing that it had been mislabeled. Defendants Lin, Ragone and Seafood Solutions knowingly again sold the fish even after its return from the customer. From February 2006 to April 2006, Ragone sold USD 2 million worth of pangasius knowing that the product bore the Paradise Grouper and ponga labels.

The case was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Law Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết Calif. firm to pay $1m in fish mislabeling case tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Vietnamese tuna exports seek momentum from growth markets

 |  09:00 25/05/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.

Pangasius industry restructures from broodstock to enhance competitiveness

 |  08:59 23/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.

Pangasius exports in April 2026 rise 18%, U.S. market shows signs of recovery

 |  08:21 21/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.

Shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026: Stable demand from Asia, rising pressure from the US market

 |  08:55 19/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.

Vinh Tuy (Kien Giang): Bottom aeration system improves shrimp farming efficiency

 |  08:36 15/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.

Vietnam’s crab exports in Q1/2026: Strong growth, but caution remains necessary

 |  08:59 14/05/2026

(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.

Ca Mau shifts strongly toward high-tech shrimp farming

 |  08:34 13/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.

Amid competitive pressure, fish cake and surimi exports still have growth opportunities

 |  09:08 09/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.

Fisheries in Quang Tri show positive results

 |  08:52 07/05/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.

What opportunities lie ahead for Vietnam’s seafood exports in 2026?

 |  16:45 05/05/2026

Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC