Tuna supply companies in the United States complain about the dominance of the export market of low-quality tuna treated with gas and chemicals

The discussion stems from statements from representatives of three of the largest suppliers of yellowfin and bigeye tuna seafood sold in the United States - and likely in Europe, as well as in other markets, who reported that there were increasing cases of such substitution and processing of tuna with undeclared ingredients. including citric acid, beet extract and sodium. They said that up to 60 percent of yellowfin tuna steaks exported to the U.S. from Vietnam undergo a process in which they are injected with a brine solution and then doused in a mixture of beet juice, paprika and additives such as sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid. They are then treated with carbon monoxide or tasteless, clear smoke. The process significantly improves the color of low-quality tuna and adds extra weight to the product, which can increase its value by 15 to 20 percent, speakers said. They note that not only does such processing mislead consumers about the actual quality of tuna and negatively ...