On 3/31/2011 8:24 AM, Sky wrote:
> On 3/31/2011 1:03 PM, dsi1 wrote:
>> On 3/31/2011 12:17 AM, Nad R wrote:
>>
>>> Shark and bug foods like like lobster, shrimp also other posters
>>> claim of
>>> crawfish and eels, seems like the only seafood one can get. Hard to
>>> imagine
>>> the oceans are practically fished out. In Michigan, if the DNR did not
>>> stock the great lakes, they would not have any fish in five years. So if
>>> you want fish these days it seems pond scum fish from Asia or nothing
>>> because supermarkets in the US will not buy fish from it's own country.
>>>
>>> I noticed even on some bags of Asian Tilapia, the bag states "Carbon
>>> Monoxide Added For Flavor"? I even learned US companies do the same
>>> thing
>>> and do not put that information on the bag.
>>
>> Carbon monoxide is typically used to treat ahi to keep the flesh a
>> bright red color and therefore allow it a longer window of opportunity
>> of sale in the US. CO is mostly known as a killer of families as they
>> sleep in the states or as a suicide gas in Japan so "odorless smoke" or
>> "tasteless smoke" is what they call it here. As far as I know, the
>> practice is illegal in Japan but the FDA allows it here.
>>
>> Tilapia is mostly a white fish so my guess is that the effect is not as
>> dramatic as when treating ahi however, it might be that most of the
>> tilapia from China is treated with CO. The gas itself is harmless when
>> used in this application. OTOH, it gives the impression that the fish is
>> fresher than it really is. OTOH, tilapia is a pretty generic whitefish
>> and I suspect that it's mostly treated as a commodity item.
>
> I understand some big-box stores like wallyworld pump carbon monoxide in
> the packaging of their "fresh" meats (beef, pork, etc.) to keep the
> color pristine for a longer period of time. Ever notice how those
> packages are constructed?? Somehow, using CO seems suspect to me when
> it's used for this particular purpose.

I have not heard that CO is used on anything but fish but my guess is
that it would probably work. It even works on humans - the main
indicator of CO poisoning is cherry red lips. I has seen vacuum packed
ahi that's obviously been treated with the gas because of it's
unnaturally bright red color.

>
> Shopping at wallyworld is something I try to avoid for various reasons,
> poor quality meats being one of those. Not to mention, their produce is
> some of the worst I've seen - ever!
>
> Sky
>