Accurate Labeling of Catfish Is the Law
Accurate labeling of catfish and catfish-like species is required by law. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act defines “catfish” for marketing purposes as members of the taxonomic family ictaluridae, commonly known as channel catfish. Asian fish such as basa, tra, swai and pangasius, on the other hand, are members of the taxonomic family pangasiidae. It is illegal to label them as “catfish” under federal law.