Is It Really Florida Grouper?
Mislabeling or substituting fish species is illegal
Florida’s waters provide a wonderful array of fresh Florida seafood to enjoy. Unfortunately, there have been instances where some wholesalers, retailers and restaurants have substituted lesser-value fish on their menus. The lesser-value fish are from places like China or Vietnam and are not the same species as wild-caught Florida fish.
Mislabeling seafood products is against the law. Consumers are cheated when they pay for an expensive fish but actually receive a species of lesser value. The Florida Attorney General's Office, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Department of Business and Professional Regulation have been investigating these illegal practices and placing fines on restaurants that substitute fish species.
Florida grouper is a prime target for substitution
Florida grouper -- because of its limited supply and relatively high price -- has been especially targeted by unscrupulous merchants who seek to deceive and cheat consumers. There have been numerous instances of lesser-value fish species being substituted for Florida grouper. If you suspect the item you purchased is not grouper, please report it.
How can consumers protect themselves?
Know the appearance and texture of Florida grouper. Grouper, one of Florida’s prized seafood items, is a premium fish harvested from the Gulf of Mexico and southern Atlantic Ocean. While individual species have unique identifiable characteristics, they are commonly described as lean, white flesh fish with a taste and texture which is popular and distinct from most common white flesh fish. Grouper fillets are usually thick with a firm texture.
Florida Grouper Download High-Resolution Image (JPG)
Asian Catfish Commonly Mislabeled As Grouper Download High-Resolution Image (JPG)
When purchasing grouper, look for a label on the menu or at the store. If the grouper bears this “Fresh from Florida” logo, it is required by law that the grouper be from Florida. (Grouper from another country can be labeled “grouper” but not “Florida grouper.”)
Deal with merchants that you trust. There are many markets and restaurants in Florida that pride themselves on serving Florida seafood. Here is a list of markets and restaurants in Florida. Here is a list of grocery chains in Florida that sell Florida seafood.
Be wary of grouper prices that are suspiciously low. Because the supply of Florida grouper is limited, the price is generally around $11 to $13 per pound wholesale filet value, and the retail value -- the price paid by consumers -- will be even higher. Prices that are considerably lower likely mean that the fish is not grouper, but instead is a substitute species of lesser value, such as basa, Asian swai, sutchi or tra catfish.
Florida seafood industry experts say you should expect to pay the following approximate prices for Florida grouper in restaurants:
High-end, white tablecloth restaurant
Entree: $21 to $27
Sandwich: $13 to $16
Middle-price restaurant
Entree: $16 to $20
Sandwich: $10 to $12
Lower-price restaurant
Entree: $14 to $16
Sandwich: $8 to $10
Related Topics of Interest
- Find Info About Grouper Regulation and Price
- Find Info About Red Grouper
- Find Info About Other Types of Grouper
- Find Statistics About Florida's Grouper Harvest
- Read Florida Law on Menu Item Misrepresentation or Product Substitution
- Find Grouper Recipes
Related Brochures and Publications
- Download the Grouper Info and Recipes Brochure, in English (PDF)
- Download the Grouper Info and Recipes Brochure, in Spanish (PDF)
- Download a High-Resolution Image of Grouper Fillets - Image 1 (JPG)
- Download a High-Resolution Image of Grouper Fillets - Image 2 (JPG)
- Download a High-Resolution Image of Asian Catfish (JPG)
Links To Related Web Sites
- Visit the Southeastern Fisheries Association Web Site
- Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Web Site
- Visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Web Site
- Visit the Florida Attorney General's Office Web Site
