February 23, 2010 Washington, DC– Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection publicly put short-weight seafood on the radar with Monday’s announcement that half of the frozen fish packages it tested contained less product than labeled.

“We are encouraged by efforts to ensure all companies play by the rules, but also want to ensure the government agencies understand proper methodologies,” said Lisa Weddig, Secretary of the Better Seafood Board (BSB.) “Back in May webrought togethera number of state and federal agencies to educate their regulators about this issue and now we’re seeing action.”

The BSB urges states’ weights and measures agencies to fully understand and properly use National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) methodologies in order to detect and prevent short-weighting. Appropriate and accurate use of standardized methodologies is essential in order to avoid unintended regulatory actions.

“Customers should get the weight they pay for and targeted testing of products already on the shelves is one way to help make sure that happens,” said Weddig. “But shining a bright light on producers who handle seafoodbeforethe consumer sees it will go a long way to addressing this issue at the source. Connecticut apparently found weights that were 3, 4 and 5% ice but the BSB routinely sees wholesale offers made up of 10, 20 and 30% ice-whether they realize it or not that type of systemic fish fraud is costing consumers big.”