Major UK supermarkets and suppliers, including Princes and Lidl, have begun replacing traditional Atlantic mackerel with jack mackerel in their tinned products. The consumer group Which? has labeled this shift as "skimpflation," arguing that manufacturers are quietly downgrading staple foods while maintaining prices, often without providing sufficient clarity to shoppers.
The substitution is driven by the collapse of Atlantic mackerel stocks, which have declined by approximately 75% over the last decade due to persistent overfishing. While Atlantic mackerel has lost its Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, the Chilean jack mackerel used as a replacement is MSC-certified. However, nutritional data indicates that jack mackerel contains significantly lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 compared to the traditional species.
"It's a real concern when manufacturers quietly downgrade everyday staples like these as shoppers can end up paying the same price for a product that delivers significantly less nutritional quality," said Sue Davies, head of food policy at Which?. She emphasized that while supply chain and sustainability pressures are real, companies have a duty to be transparent with consumers.
The industry shift follows years of international disputes over catch quotas, often referred to as the "mackerel war," involving the UK, EU, and several other nations. Scientific bodies have advised a 70% reduction in Atlantic mackerel catches for 2026 to prevent further stock depletion. In response to these sustainability concerns, retailers like Waitrose have already moved to suspend sales of Atlantic mackerel.
Industry representatives, such as the Scottish Pelagic Fishermen's Association, have expressed concern that the switch to jack mackerel—a member of the Carangidae family rather than the Scombridae family—could confuse consumers. They also noted that sourcing fish from the other side of the world carries a higher carbon footprint than domestic alternatives. Despite these concerns, government regulations were recently updated to allow the labeling of these products as "jack mackerel."
Source: BBC News
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