What is in fish sticks and why are they a food to avoid? There is a possible health risk for large consumers in young people

Marketed as crab sticks in the 1980s and rebranded as surimi, the Japanese word for mashed white fish, the oblong Seafood Sticks with their bright fascia pink exterior are instantly recognizable on supermarket shelves.

Eaten raw, shredded in salads or chopped and rolled up in maki, surimi has become popular for health conscious eaters. But recent studies have questioned its dietary benefits.

Food experts suggest incorporating fish into children’s diets starting from a young age, ideally two to three servings a week. Fresh fish is crucial during childhood and adolescence, as it provides key nutrients essential for brain growth and development.

However, this often proves challenging for a number of reasons - firstly, because many kids don’t like fish, secondly, busy parents don’t always have the time needed to clean, prepare and cook fresh fish and thirdly, it’s often more expensive than other options.

A lot of kids grow up avoiding fish altogether - many of them only acquiring the taste in adulthood. Yet, breaded, pre-packaged, processed fish products, including seafood surimi sticks, have become popular with a lot of children.

How much fish does surimi contain?

Surimi seafood sticks might appear to be a convenient meal option, but their composition tells a very different story. They contain an average of 50% fish, while the rest is made up of less desirable ingredients including: wheat flour, sugar, canola oil, yeast, potato starch, artificial coloring, flavoring additives and preservatives... They also tend to have a high sodium content - eating too much salt is linked to various health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes.

Essentially, you’re paying a premium for what’s packaged as fish, but you’re also consuming a host of additional substances that are neither nutritionally beneficial nor healthy.

Presence of carcinogens

Beyond the questionable ingredients, there’s another pressing concern: toxic and potentially cancer-causing contaminants found in these products. A laboratory test by the Swiss consumer protection magazine Bon à Savoir examined 15 different brands of fish sticks sold in Swiss supermarkets. The results revealed the presence of glycidol, a hazardous chemical linked to potential health risks. Glycidol can form during the processing of vegetable oils, especially when exposed to high frying temperatures. Known for its carcinogenic properties, this contaminant raises serious health questions.

Although the test did not detect levels of glycidol high enough to cause immediate health risks, regular consumption of foods containing this substance could lead to long-term problems. Glycidol was found in many of the tested samples, representing a threat that shouldn’t be ignored. Experts also warn that glycidol exposure is cumulative, as the chemical is present in various daily foods besides fish sticks, such as other fried or processed items made with vegetable oils. This increases the risk of accumulation in the body, especially among regular consumers.

Oekotest’s analysis discovers toxic additives

A study conducted by the German consumer magazine Oekotest in August 2023 examined 19 brands of fish sticks. The findings revealed that 11 out of 19 samples contained 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, toxic substances linked to the processing of vegetable oils and fats at high temperatures. Some samples also contained glycidol, another harmful contaminant.

Fish fingers, nuggets and other processed foods with refined oils are far from ideal, especially for children. Instead, nutritionists recommend unrefined oils, like extra virgin olive oil (always cold-pressed) or virgin coconut oil. Refined olive oil and pomace oil, often extracted at high temperatures, should be avoided.

For other oils, look for labels explicitly stating “cold-pressed”—often found in organic products, such as sunflower, soybean, or flaxseed oils. In fact, a Swiss consumer test highlighted that the only brand of fish sticks free from glycidol was Coop Naturaplan, a certified organic product.

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