A BBC investigation has uncovered a wave of deception in fish and chip shops across North West England, where some owners have been secretly serving cheap imported catfish while charging customers for premium cod or haddock.
The fish at the centre of the scandal is pangasius — a farmed Southeast Asian catfish that’s perfectly safe to eat but dramatically cheaper. While cod and haddock can cost around £15 per kilo, pangasius comes in at just £3.40, giving dishonest vendors a hefty profit margin.
The investigation began after a frustrated Liverpool shop owner contacted the BBC, claiming competitors were undercutting him by selling bargain‑basement fish disguised as the real deal. He said the practice was far more common than most people realise and was hurting honest businesses.
BBC reporters reviewed dozens of online reviews from confused customers who suspected something was off. Many wrote comments like “no idea what fish that was” and “definitely not cod — some cheap white fish”.
Catching the culprits isn’t easy. Trading Standards relies on intelligence-led checks and expensive DNA testing, making widespread enforcement difficult. Although officials insist the issue isn’t rampant, they admit that “unscrupulous businesses” are still out there.
For now, unsuspecting customers may be paying top price for a fish supper that’s anything but traditional.