Which? Warns Jack Mackerel Swap Halves Omega-3 as Supermarkets Cut Tinned Fish Costs
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 12
Which? Warns Jack Mackerel Swap Halves Omega-3 as Supermarkets Cut Tinned Fish Costs
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 12
Summary
Which? said supermarkets are engaging in “skimpflation” by replacing tinned Atlantic mackerel with cheaper jack mackerel while shoppers may pay similar prices for lower nutritional value.
Jack mackerel contains about half the omega-3 and roughly a third of the vitamin B12 of traditional mackerel, and Which? said some consumers have also complained about taste, texture and labeling clarity.
Princes switched all its tinned mackerel products last October and Lidl also sells jack mackerel, with suppliers citing sustainability pressures as Atlantic stocks shrink and Chilean jack mackerel costs about one-third as much.
North-east Atlantic mackerel stocks have fallen roughly 75% in a decade after catches exceeded scientific advice by an average 39% over 15 years, pushing the fish out of MSC certification and prompting some retailers to suspend fresh sales.
The shift has also drawn industry criticism because Defra changed labeling rules after Princes’ launch, while UK fishermen argue imports of the less omega-3-rich species risk confusing consumers and carry a higher carbon footprint.