Latest DNA results confirm integrity of MSC Chain of Custody
Consumers and seafood buyers in key markets across the world can be confident that products bearing the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecolabel are correctly labelled, according to the latest results of the MSC’s DNA testing program, published on 18 March.
In the most extensive testing of MSC labelled products carried out to date – 381 samples taken from retail packed products, fresh fish counters, and catering restaurants in 14 different markets - the MSC found that the overall mislabelling rate for MSC certified products was 1 per cent, or just three mislabelled samples.
David Agnew, MSC director of standards, said: “The MSC has used DNA testing since 2009 as one part of its strategy to monitor the effectiveness of its Chain of Custody standard for seafood traceability in controlling the processing, packing, labelling and movement of MSC certified seafood around the world. Today’s results show that our program provides a high level of integrity and assurance that MSC labelled products are traceable to certified fisheries, and that customers are not being misled."