Something’s Fishy: China Rules That Rainbow Trout Can Be Sold as Salmon
The Chinese government has decided that rainbow trout can now be labelled and sold as salmon, in a move customers and distributors have branded disturbing.
A new ruling in China has decreed that rainbow trout is now allowed to be labelled and sold as salmon.
The move comes after complaints earlier in the year that fish being sold as salmon in China was in fact rainbow trout. Vendors complained about the mislabelling, and instead of banning the practice, the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance (CAPPMA) opted to rule that any fish in the Salmonidae family can now be sold as salmon.
Both salmon and rainbow trout are salmonid fish that look and taste similar, but rainbow trout live in fresh water whereas salmon live in salt water.
While they look different externally, the filleted product of the two fish is so similar that Chinese state media outlet CCTV revealed in May that a third of fish being sold as salmon is in fact rainbow trout from Qinghai province.
The new ruling has been met with anger from customers, who are expressing their displeasure via the hashtag #RainbowTroutBecomesSalmon on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
“Can we label seas and lake as the same thing? They are technically the same,” says one commenter.
“The trout must be confused. After so many years its identity has suddenly been changed to a salmon,” another writes.
Customers have been especially worried as trout is more susceptible to parasites, and eating raw fish is common practice in the country.
The China Fisheries Association spoke out against this concern, saying that rainbow trout is fed and quarantined hygienically and safely. “Whether salmon has parasites does not depend on whether it is bred in sea water or fresh water,” they said.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
