Retail giant Carrefour has publically denied allegations made by a Chinese micro-blogger that its stores are selling oilfish falsely labelled as cod.
The claim made on Chinese micro-blogging website Weibo spread quickly, prompting a response from Carrefour.
The retailer stated the fish in question was Silver Pout and Buffalo Cod, which were both species of the cod family, and all supplies had the proper certification from import authorities.
Carrefour also urged the blogger to contact them directly and vowed to investigate its supply chain to ensure consumers’ rights were upheld.
Oilfish is banned in some markets, including Japan, and its high oil content is thought to cause health problems such as diarrhea and indigestion.
Western retailers have come under close scrutiny in China in recent months. In October of last year 13 Walmart stores in Chongqing were forced to close for a period of two weeks when it was discovered the retailer had sold conventional pork labelled as organic.
Also, a high-rating consumer rights television show there claimed a Carrefour outlet in Zhengzhou sold expired meat and chicken fraudulently labelled as free-range at a higher price.
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