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Text File | 1992-08-28 | 1.2 KB | 32 lines

                                                                                NATION, Page 25

American Notes

FOOD SAFETY

Troubled Waters


    There's something fishy about the U.S. seafood industry,
according to a new study that will appear in the February issue
of Consumer Reports magazine. The study, carried out by
investigative reporter Trudy Lieberman, found widespread
contamination and mislabeling of seafood in retail fish shops
and supermarkets in New York City and Chicago. Of the 113 random
samples of fish purchased in both cities, 29% were spoiled and
44% were contaminated with fecal bacteria; 40% of the swordfish
samples had an impermissible level of mercury.

    The report gives ammunition to consumer advocates who
argue for mandatory seafood inspection. At present, the handling
of fish -- as opposed to poultry and meat -- is largely
unregulated by the Federal Government. "The study is highly
disturbing, because it further proves that contaminated seafood
is readily making its way to consumers' plates," says Jodie
Silverman of Public Voice for Food and Health Policy. But the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration disputed Consumer Reports'
findings, arguing that the sample is too small to be
significant.