Is It Safe to Eat Swai Fish?

This quality of Swai fish is largely attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids present in it.

In the United States, Swai fish, scientifically known as Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, has become popular over the last few decades. It is a freshwater fish native to Mekong Lake in Southeast Asia, but most of the fish farming is carried out in Vietnam.

Swai fish is called by various names, including:

• Vietnamese catfish
• Panga
• Pangasius
• Sutchi
• Striped catfish
• Iridescent shark
• Tra
• Cream dory
• Silver striped catfish
• Vietnamese river cobbler
• Basa (not the same fish, but commonly sold under this name)

Swai is a fresh-tasting, inexpensive fish with a less bony structure. Read on to learn about what kind of fish is swai, if swai fish is healthy, what its nutritional value is, and what are good alternatives to it.

The American Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition recommends eating fish as a preventive method against heart and neurological conditions. This quality of fish is largely attributed to the omega-3 fatty acids present in it. However, the amount of omega-3 fatty acids present in a single serving (4 ounces or 114 g) of swai fish is low as compared to other fatty fishes, such as salmon and sardines. There are also vegan options such as nuts, flax, and chia seeds, and many cooking oils that are excellent sources of omega-3. The amount of protein (15 g) is also similar to or less than other fishes.

Many people consume swai fish because it does not have a typical fishy taste or smell, and it takes on the flavor of any dressings or sauce used to flavor it. It is often cheaper than other fish. Being a fleshy fish with a less bony structure, it is ideal for broiling, grilling, or frying. These reasons have made it one of the most common fishes used in restaurants throughout the United States. However, concerns about its safety arose after reports of unsafe fish farming practices in Vietnam emerged.

Why is swai fish bad for you?

Here are four reasons to be concerned about eating swai fish:

• Speculation about high mercury content:
  • Various reports from reputed organizations of the world have noted the poor quality of the water in which swai fish are bred. The presence of heavy metals, such as mercury, in swai fish in amounts above the acceptable levels for consumption has been found.
• Unsafe fish farming practices in Vietnam:
  • Swai fish are not picky about what they eat. As a result, they have been given leftover food from restaurants or cheap quality fish food in Vietnam which can make the swai fish toxic and of substandard quality.
• Increased administration of antibiotics:
  • Another concern is more than the necessary use of antibiotics in swai fish. Many of these fish have reportedly developed resistance to a few antibiotics also used for treating infections in humans which can result in an increased risk of antibiotic resistance in humans if they consume such swai fish.
  • There are stringent rules and regulations on antibiotic use in marine life in the United States; several antibiotics have been banned in fish farming, but such regulation is absent in Vietnam.
• High sodium content:
  • A high sodium content (222-594 mg/100 g) was detected in swai fish obtained from Vietnam, probably and partially due to the sodium tripolyphosphate (used to retain moisture). The high sodium content can cause problems like high blood pressure.

If you are buying canned swai fish, read the labels carefully. You may find its origin written on them. Choose wild-caught swai fish over farm-raised. The wild-caught swai is more likely to be free from pesticides as well as other problems that come with farm-raised ones.

Purchase swai from a reputable source in the United States. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does oversee the safety of seafood sold within the country.

If you do not wish to continue eating swai fish, alternatives include:

• American catfish
• Salmon
• Perch
• Halibut
• Herring
• Cod

Is swai a good fish to eat?

Swai fish is a good fish to eat because it has a mild and neutral flavor and a flaky texture that makes it easy to pair with other foods. It is a versatile fish that can be prepared in multiple ways and it well absorbs the flavors of the ingredients used in its preparation. It is also less expensive than other types of fish.

In terms of nutritional value, swai fish is a good source of lean protein, iron, and B vitamins, and it has a lower amount of saturated fats and fewer calories than many other fish. However, it also has a much lower content of omega-3 fatty acids than other fatty fish such as salmon and halibut, often the most important nutritional reason for eating fish.

If you choose to eat swai, it is better to opt for wild-caught swai fish instead of farmed swai fish which is usually cheaper, because of the concerns about the toxic contaminants, mercury, and antibiotic content found in swai fish. In June 2016, 26,000 pounds of swai fish fillets that were sold were recalled because they didn't meet the federal inspection requirements for residues. Some people may also have an allergy to swai fish.

Why is swai fish so cheap?

Swai fish is cheap because it is easy to farm, and they spawn a huge number of larvae. In many cases, swai fish is farmed in relatively small ponds in unhealthy conditions, and fed food waste. Swai fish is processed with sodium tripolyphosphate to allow it to retain moisture before it is frozen. This increases the weight which helps keep the price down. The cheapest swai fish are likely raised in the most unhealthy and unhygienic conditions. Swai that is raised following hygienic and environmentally safe conditions, and wild-caught swai are relatively more expensive.

Are swai and basa the same fish?

Swai and basa are not the same fish, although swai is commonly sold as basa. Basa is a type of Asian catfish, native to Southeast Asia like swai, and its scientific name is Pangasius bocourti. Swai is Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, and is neither a catfish nor a shark, although it is also called an iridescent shark. Initially, U.S. importers were importing basa from Vietnam, but now, swai is often purposefully mislabeled as basa, because, swai is easier and faster to raise, and hence cheaper.

Swai has been fraudulently mislabeled and sold as more expensive fish such as Asian catfish (basa), sole, grouper, and flounder. In dishes such as fish sandwiches or fish tacos, where the type of fish is not specified, it is even easier to pass off swai as other more expensive white fish, like cod or halibut. In the U.S., swai is no longer allowed to be labeled as catfish.

Is swai fish the same as tilapia?

No, tilapia is a different species of fish, with the scientific name Oreochromis niloticus. Both are freshwater fish and have mild flavor, but there ends the similarity. Swai is native to Southeast Asia, while tilapia is endemic to Africa and the Middle East, although it's been introduced and grown in freshwater in many other countries. The nutritional values are also different in the two fish, with tilapia having a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids.

What country is swai fish from?

Swai fish is native to the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. Most of the swai fish sold in the U.S. are farmed in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

Is swai fish clean or unclean?

Not all swai fish can be called unclean or bad for you, especially if they are wild-caught, or if they are farmed in hygienic conditions. If all swai fish were unclean and bad for health, the fish would likely have been banned from import into the U.S. However, the industrial farming of swai fish and poor regulation of the industry in Vietnam are major causes for concern. The FDA has issued reports on health concerns about swai fish because they have been found to have the greatest number of health violations among imported seafood.

Many of the farms raise swai in huge numbers in small pools, which can lead to poor sanitation, and consequently, infections and diseases in the fish. To combat this, the producers use a lot of antibiotics, and there have been many reports of the presence of bacteria, as well as many antibiotics banned in the U.S. Analyses of imported swai fish have also shown the presence of mercury and other heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxic substances.

Another major reason for calling swai fish unclean is the ecological damage that they can cause. Although they are farmed and are claimed to reduce overfishing in the ocean, they are fed fishmeal made from small wild fish, genetically modified organisms (GMO) corn, and grains. The GMO content may also be a concern for some people. In addition, because the industry is poorly regulated, the toxic waste waters are released into the ocean, impacting the ecosystem.

Swai fish do have a high possibility of being unclean. Many alternative fish options are more nutritious. If price is a concern, avoid the cheapest swai fish and look for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stamp, which every package from inspected facilities carries. The USDA conducts several lab tests on these products, including the type of fish and its quality, and guarantees that it is safe for consumption.