I'm Banging My Drum About Fish

[hc4361]

WHY is it still legal for restaurants and all eateries to sell 'fish and chips' without specifying the type of fish?
They can't sell 'meat pie' without specifying the meat.

[jno]

it probably does in the small print, along with information about gluten, carbs and whatnot. The fish and chip shop gives none of this information, any more than the greengrocer does, but people cope. I presume the distinction has to do with whether the food is pre-wrapped.

[hc4361]

Oooh - that's illegal, shoota.

[hc4361]

You can see if the 'greens' you buy at a greengrocer is a cabbage or a brussel sprout.

[retrocop]

/Is Panga the same as Basa/River Cobbler?//

Yes ummmm
It is of the catfish variety and is farmed alongside the Mekong River in Vietnam.
The river is highly polluted and the WHO tried to outlaw the fish farms a good few years ago in order they clean up their act and ensure no cross-pollution. I have always used it in fish curries. Meaty and sustainable.

Fish and chipperies are usually kosher but recently it has been discovered that Rock Salmon has been,in many cases,using two type of endangered species of small shark. So many regional variations of what it is called. Tope,Huss,Rock,Dog fish etc etc.

[retrocop]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rock-salmon-shark-fish-and-chips-endangered-spiny-dogfish-sold-uk-a9095956.html


https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/17890926.fish-chip-shops-brighton-selling-endangered-shark-species-rock-salmon/

[dannyk13]

Retro, I also used it in curries and baked with a spicy topping.

[retrocop]

Good choice danny. I liken it to poor man's monk fish tail. Very meaty and adaptable. Third of the price. :-)

[dannyk13]

And cheaper still if you buy it frozen, as I usually do.

[retrocop]

Danny
I read this article several years ago. It's still available in the UK and I never stopped eating it. I've still got a pulse. :-)

https://www.dietmindspirit.org/2008/01/30/why-you-shouldnt-eat-this-fish-pangas-pangasius-vietnamese-river-cobbler-white-catfish-gray-sole/

[theprof]

There is no legislation in place over the disclosure of the fish species on menus/ display boards in fish and chip shops. However, the National Federation of Fish Friers does advise chip shops seeking membership that the fish should be "sold according to species" rather than sold as "fish". Seeking out a NFFF member is probably your best bet but it's as well to remember it's not compulsory for them to disclose this information.

Meat pies don't have to disclose the type of meat they contain. However if the percentage of meat in the pie is not disclosed either verbally, on a sign or on packaging, your local Trading Standards would take a dim view

[Buenchico]

>>> They can't sell 'meat pie' without specifying the meat.

Hc4361 presumably doesn't live in the north of England, where thousands of pub, cafés, chippies, etc offer 'meat and potato pie' (and sometimes simply 'meat pie' as well) on their menus without specifying what the meat is.

e.g. https://www.masonsamusements.co.uk/pdf/steve-fish-chips-restaurant-takeaway-menu.pdf

[jno]

Buenchico, is that similar to "an encounter of artisanal viands and custom-crafted tubers nestled en croute"? We get them all the time in our southern chippies.