Is Swai Fish Clean Or Unclean? Nutrient Chart, Allergy, Pregnancy

• Nutrient Content Chart
  • What is the nutrient content of swai fish?
• Swai Fish Taste
  • How does swai taste?
• Swai Fish Allergy
  • Can I have swai fish allergy?
• Consuming Fish
  • How often can you eat fish?
• Seafood During Pregnancy
  • Should pregnant women consume fish?

Due to the inconsistent quality of Vietnamese-imported fish, such as swai fish, they are often considered “unclean” and raise a number of health concerns.

The swai fish (Basa) is native to Vietnam and mostly imported to the United States. It is quite popular as it is cheap, has a mild taste, and is versatile to cook.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued reports that highlight several health concerns when it comes to Vietnamese-imported fish such as swai, as they have the greatest number of health violations of imported seafood in the United States.

• The meat of swai has been evaluated by the FDA, and many antibiotic agents such as nitrofuran, malachite green, and gentian violet have been detected in this fish in high quantities. These are not approved for use in the United States, as nitrofuran, malachite green, and gentian violet have been shown to cause cancer in animal studies.
• Additionally, the antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones were also detected in swai fish. These are often used to prevent the growth of fungus, bacteria, and parasites in the seafood, but indiscriminate use of these may lead to antibiotic resistance in humans if consumed in food for the long term.
• These fish are grown in unhygienic conditions and prone to diseases especially those caused by Escherichia coli bacteria known to cause diseases such as gastroenteritis, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, chorioamnionitis (infection of the fetal membranes), and sepsis in the susceptible human population.
• These fish are bred in “fish factories,” where they are fed fishmeal made from small, wild fish, genetically modified organism (GMO) corn, and grains. The GMO content of the food may raise concerns in some people.
• These fish are often bred in filthy waters, which may cause diseases such as hepatitis, amoebiasis, and salmonellosis in the human host.
• There are concerns that polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, and pesticide residues present in the waters where the fish are bred may be present in the fish as well.
• There is a growing concern over the mercury levels found in swai fish and other heavy metal residues, which may be detrimental to growing kids as well as adults.

What’s more, the swai is often mislabeled and sold as more expensive fish such as catfish, sole, grouper, and flounder in the market. These issues along with the consistent inability to meet the FDA health standards may be the reason swai fish is called “unclean” or “unhygienic.”

It is therefore critical that all purchases related to swai are made from official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishments. This can be quickly ascertained by looking for the USDA stamp, present on every package that comes from an inspected facility.

The USDA stamp lists the facility’s establishment number and guarantees that it fulfills all requirements. In addition, the USDA conducts a host of lab tests to identify what type of fish is being sold, so you are sure that you get your money’s worth.