Why your beloved tilapia could be the worst holiday dish: Unveiling the dark side of fish farming

For some reason, tilapia remains a popular fish that people love to buy and serve to their families. While awareness about the negative impacts of eating pangasius, butterfish, and even farmed salmon has noticeably increased, tilapia still doesn't bear a negative reputation. This seems to be a grave oversight, but why? Let us take a little trip to distant Vietnam.

The sanitary conditions in some Asian countries do not meet the ethical standards of Europeans. This unfortunately results in a situation where the "out of sight, out of mind" rule applies. That's why it's so important to raise awareness about tilapia farming conditions. The situation is indeed dramatic.

Contrary to what most consumers believe, the farming conditions of tilapia are no different from those of the pangasius — another fish species farmed in Vietnam, China, or Honduras under horrific conditions. The overcrowded, artificial bodies of water, where tilapias can barely move, are testament to that. Equally alarming is the diet these fish are fed.

Like pangasius, the farming of tilapia focuses on rapid growth. As a result, growth hormones and antibiotics are included in their daily diet, which consists of special feeds. The originally lean fish meat quickly becomes contaminated with organic mercury, cadmium, and lead. Additionally, tilapia has a very unfavorable ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids, potentially leading to immunological and allergic diseases.

It's clear that the issue with tilapia isn't the fish itself, but the way it's farmed. While most of the tilapia come from Asia, it's not the only source. European farms also raise tilapia, and those marked with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certificate adhere to higher standards. Therefore, if you decide to purchase tilapia, look for products with this label.