ABSTRACT
Tracking and surveillance throughout the food supply chain is important to demonstrate that fish products derive from sustainably exploited stocks and to assure consumers that a product has been produced according to defined environmental standards and fulfills the declared authenticity. Although the traceability of fish products is regulated, processed fish products are sometimes intentionally or mistakenly mislabelled. The frequent substitution of flatfish shows the need for identification of the species. Fish substitution can occur at any point along the fish supply chain, from ocean to fork. The Dutch flatfish production chain consists of fisheries, fish auctions, fish processors, and customers, including fish producers, retailers, and restaurants and catering. The development of protocols for assurance and control of fish safety is currently a priority. Incidents of fish substitution have been reported worldwide, despite labeling and traceability regulations. Incidents of fish substitution have been reported worldwide, despite labeling and traceability regulations.
