Caviar products sold on Chinese Business to customer (B2C) online platforms: Labelling assessment supported by molecular identification

In this study the labelling compliance of 40 caviar products collected from a major Chinese Business to Customer online platform was assessed. The label information was analyzed according to the requirements of the Chinese standard for prepackaged food and of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Resolution on Conservation and trade in sturgeons and paddlefish. A molecular analysis based on DNA barcoding targeting two mitochondrial genes (COI and cytb) was used to support the label assessment. All products were fully compliant to the national labelling standard, and they were verified as belonging to Chinese producing plants. On the contrary, CITES requirements were never satisfied and no reference to the production method (wild catch or aquaculture) and to the origin of the roes processed for caviar production was reported. The sturgeon species or hybrid were declared in 32.5% of the products. Despite the limits in discriminating among Acipenser spp. and commercial hybrids, the molecular analysis was confirmed as an effective screening tool to monitor products authenticity. The molecular analysis highlighted no counterfeiting with heterologous species, being all the products confirmed as sturgeon species. However, 42.5% of the products did not fully match their label information. Evidences from the study stressed the need to fill an evident gap in the traceability of caviar products by promoting the use of CITES labelling to ensure products fair trade and sustainability, as well as consumers protection.