Lab tests confirm invasive blackchin tilapia in seized canned fish

Laboratory tests have confirmed that canned fish, seized from a factory in Samut Sakhon, contains blackchin tilapia, a native West African, highly destructive and invasive species in Thailand, contradicting previous assurances from state agencies that the products were made from tilapia, a broad family of generally farmed, native freshwater fish, according to Biodiversity, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Action Thailand (the BioThai Foundation).

The revelation was made at a press conference yesterday, attended by Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a party list MP of the People’s party, and representatives from civil society groups.

Nattacha revealed that samples from two canned fish brands were sent to the International Centre of Excellence in Seafood Science and Innovation at Prince of Songkla University for DNA analysis.

While the test results for a brand manufactured in Samut Songkhram confirmed the use of Nile tilapia, with a confidence level of over 99%, the analysis of the controversial brand from Samut Sakhon conclusively identified the presence of blackchin tilapia.

The findings stand in stark contrast to initial assessments by the Department of Fisheries and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), which had previously certified the seized stock of over 13,000 cans as regular tilapia, based on visual inspections of the fish skin, bones and meat.

Nattacha criticised the Department of Fisheries for its informal, non-DNA based evaluation that effectively covered for the private manufacturer. He announced intentions to pursue legal action against the department and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for dereliction of duty, noting that the official certification misled the public.

The People’s party MP also sounded the alarm on the deepening crisis caused by non-native species, stating that the blackchin tilapia outbreak has grown two to three hundred percent more severe since last year, decimating native fish populations in natural watercourses.

He questioned the government's commitment to resolving the issue, pointing out that the department's budget to eradicate the invasive pest has plummeted from 1.3 million baht in 2026 to zero for the 2027 fiscal year.

Witoon Lianchamroon, secretary general of the BioThai Foundation, emphasised that the independent lab tests were conducted to protect consumer rights and ensure transparency regarding the origin of food ingredients.

He warned that keeping such data ambiguous could severely harm both the local ecosystem and consumer confidence, especially since the spread of the invasive species remains uncontrolled.

Meanwhile, Boonyuen Siritham, president of the Thailand Consumers Council, pointed out that, while blackchin tilapia is safe for consumption, manufacturers are legally obligated to label their products accurately.

Under current regulations, the breeding, trading and possession of blackchin tilapia are strictly prohibited, prompting civil groups to question how the factory managed to acquire the massive quantity of the fish for commercial canning.