An ocean farming group has found that more than a third of the salmon sold in restaurants as “wild-caught” was actually raised in farms in the Atlantic.
The Oceana Save the Seas group’s report, which was based on a small sample, didn’t say if the restaurants lied to customers on purpose or if they were tricked by wholesalers.
Oceana said that 3 times as many mistakes are made when wild salmon from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are not in season. The price of wild-caught fish is much higher than the price of farmed fish, even when the fish is in season.
It also found a high degree of fraudulent labeling in supermarkets. But diners are far more likely to be sold misidentified salmon in restaurants, Oceana concluded.
“There is still a problem with misrepresentation in the market,” the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute said in response to the Oceana study. “We suggest that food service businesses work closely with their suppliers to make sure they know where the seafood they buy comes from.” Ninety-five percent of all wild salmon harvested in the U. S. comes from Alaska and can be directly traced back to the source. ”.
That’s not all—the Institute also says that restaurants should train their waitstaff to correctly describe seafood menu items to customers. ”.
There were only 82 salmon from restaurants and supermarkets used in the study, which the group admitted was a small sample size given how popular salmon is in the US. It said that the fish were caught all over the country last winter and that DNA testing helped find out where they came from.
Overall, 43 percent of the samples were misrepresented to the consumer. 38% of the time when the fish came from restaurants, it was mistaken for more expensive wild-caught salmon. This only happened 7% of the time when the fish came from supermarkets.
“Our study shows that even though Americans love salmon, they may be falling for a bait and switch,” said Beth Lowell, senior campaign director at Oceana. “Not only are consumers getting ripped off, but responsible U. S. fishermen are being cheated when fraudulent products lower the price for their hard-won catch. ”.
Oceana’s stated aim is to foster the sustainability of the seas as a source of food.
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As someone who loves seafood, I was curious to find out whether the tasty salmon dish at Outback Steakhouse is sourced from wild fisheries or farms. With rising concerns over sustainability and nutritional differences, the salmon’s origin matters.
Outback has built a hearty, Aussie-inspired menu with steak as the star. But for seafood lovers, options like salmon provide a nice, lighter alternative. The seared fillet served atop spinach and arugula with lemon butter looks delicious. But the question remains…is it wild or farmed?
I decided to investigate this popular menu item. Keep reading to discover the surprising truth about Outback’s salmon and why it matters for your health and the environment.
Outback’s Salmon is Farm-Raised
After digging into the details, it turns out Outback Steakhouse’s salmon is sourced from farms, not wild fisheries. Specifically, their Atlantic salmon fillet comes from farms in Norway.
With seafood mislabeling being common in the industry, restaurants themselves may be misinformed on the exact origin of their fish. But as consumers, we must stay informed on where our food comes from.
Why the Salmon Source Matters
The choice between wild-caught and farm-raised salmon depends on your priorities around:
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Nutrition – Wild salmon has more omega-3s, while farmed has higher fat and omega-6s.
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Contaminants – Both can contain toxins, but levels may be higher in farmed.
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Sustainability – Some wild fisheries are depleted but others are well-managed. Farms also vary.
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Taste – Most prefer the richer flavor of wild, but tastes differ.
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Cost – Limited wild salmon supplies make it pricier.
For those focused on sustainability and nutrition, wild Alaskan salmon is ideal. But farm-raised has improved and remains a tasty, affordable option.
Key Differences: Wild vs Farmed Salmon
To make the best seafood choice for your needs, here are some key differences:
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Diet – Wild eat diverse foods in the ocean. Farmed eat processed feed with additives.
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Source – Wild is Pacific, seasonal. Farmed is Atlantic, available year-round.
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Price – Wild salmon costs more given limited supplies.
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Flavor – Wild has a robust, savory taste. Farmed is typically milder.
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Fat Content – Farm-raised has more fat, making it extra moist and tender.
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Sustainability – Some wild fisheries are depleted while some farms are eco-friendly.
There are pros and cons to each salmon type depending on your priorities.
Evaluating the Sustainability of Outback’s Salmon
Outback Steakhouse is part of the larger Bloomin’ Brands company, which states a commitment to responsible seafood. However, it seems their salmon itself may not come from the most sustainable sources based on its farm-raised Norwegian origins.
Sustainability depends on many factors. Restaurants can improve by:
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Choosing plentiful wild species from well-managed fisheries
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Serving seafood with eco-certifications like Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
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Implementing broader sustainability programs around waste, energy, and more
While Outback’s Atlantic salmon falls short for sustainability, they likely integrate eco-friendly practices across their business.
Tips for Identifying Wild-Caught Salmon
Since Outback serves farmed salmon, here are some tips to spot wild-caught:
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Look for “Alaskan” origins – has a high chance of being wild
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Seek out deep reddish-orange color rather than pale pink
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Check for less marbling since wild salmon have more muscle from swimming
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Taste for a complex, savory salmon flavor rather than mild
Your best bet is choosing salmon labeled as “Alaskan wild-caught” for the optimal combination of sustainability and nutrition.
Making the Best Salmon Choice For You
With all these considerations around farmed vs wild salmon, several tips can guide your decision:
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Consider your priorities first – health, taste, cost, sustainability, etc.
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Ask questions when dining out to understand where menu items are sourced
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Recognize that no food choice is perfect – focus on moderation and balance
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Try lesser-known wild Pacific salmon species like sockeye and coho for sustainability
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Stick to salmon labeled “wild-caught Alaskan” to reduce chances of getting farmed
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Focus on your overall healthy and ethical diet – no one food choice defines it
While Outback’s salmon isn’t wild-caught, you can still enjoy their tender fillet in moderation, or opt for a different sustainable fish dish. Being an educated seafood consumer allows you to make the best choices for your needs. Because when it comes to salmon, one type isn’t inherently better – it just depends on what matters most to you!
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CEO Julie Masino said that the 55-year-old brand plans to spend the next fiscal year testing what the idea should become so that it can help guests, employees, and shareholders all at the same time.
For the most part, gas prices have been going down all year. In some states, they are below $3 per gallon. Will that give operators a sales boost?.
As chains add more and more technology to get people in the door, they might want to take a look at what’s going on at the coffee shop giant.
Wild-Caught Salmon Isn’t So Wild After All – Newsy
FAQ
How can you tell if salmon is wild caught?
Is wild Alaskan salmon the same as wild caught salmon?
Is wild caught or farm raised salmon better?
Is Costco salmon really wild caught?
What is the difference between wild-caught and farm-raised salmon?
When eating wild-caught or farm-raised salmon, you may notice a difference in taste. Farm-raised salmon is higher in fat, it’s richer and milder. Wild-caught salmon is known for having a ‘fishy’ flavor, but this is due to it being leaner. Many people appreciate its more robust taste.
Should you buy farm-raised or wild-caught salmon?
Farm-raised salmon is higher in fat, it’s richer and milder. Wild-caught salmon is known for having a ‘fishy’ flavor, but this is due to it being leaner. Many people appreciate its more robust taste. If you have a preference for one over the other, consider that when shopping, and look for sustainable seafood whichever you buy.
How do you know if salmon is wild?
If you’re ordering it at a restaurant, you can spot wild salmon even before you taste it — because the menu will say so. “Wild caught fish are a selling point, so if the description doesn’t say wild, 9 out of 10 times it’s farm-raised,” says Miller. There are also trusted brands, such as Copper River Salmon, that you can ask for by name.
When does wild salmon come out?
Salmon run from mid-May through September, so anything outside that window is likely to be farmed. It’s identified by name. If you’re ordering it at a restaurant, you can spot wild salmon even before you taste it — because the menu will say so.