The European Fish Processors Association, the AIPCE-CEP, issued a statement today to "deplore" practices outlined in a recent report that shrimp and other seafood may be sold in Europe with added water to increase weight.
AIPCE-CEP, in a statement, noted the regulations that mandate proper labeling, saying, "under the new EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation adopted in 2011, there will be a specific requirement for any water in excess of 5 percent of net weight to be clearly declared on-pack."
The statement follows a report out of the United Kingdom newspaper The Guardian that suggested shrimp in particular had been sold with 50 percent of its weight being nothing but water.
"We deplore practices intended to mislead consumers or which fail to comply with EU food law," AIPCE-CEP said. "Where the use of water is a legitimate part of processing operations, it is vital that products are accurately labeled and described to avoid confusion."
February 13, 2014
