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Mislabeling, Food Safety and Food Allergies
Due to inaccurate seafood ingredient lists in some imitation crab products, there are more risks for food safety and allergies.
It’s impossible to know the actual ingredients without special testing.
When 16 surimi-based products purchased in Spain and Italy were tested, 25% listed a fish species different from that identified by DNA analysis
Most of the mislabeled products were imported from Asian countries. Some labels neglected to mention the surimi’s fish origins, a common food allergen. In the US and EU, including for imported foods, food allergy labeling is mandated (12, 22).
Your chance of having an allergic reaction to an ingredient that isn’t properly disclosed rises due to inaccurate and inadequate product labels.
Mislabeling also conceals potentially toxic fish. In fact, two of the mislabeled Asian surimi products contained a species of fish linked with ciguatera poisoning, the most frequently reported toxin-based seafood illness (12, 23).
Unlabeled imitation crab, such as that found in party appetizers, may be best avoided if you have a food allergy because it may contain common triggers like fish, crab extract, eggs, and wheat (13).
Imitation crab can be found in frozen or chilled sections of supermarkets. They sell several types, including flake-style, chunks, sticks and shreds.
Since imitation crab is precooked, you can add it to heated dishes or use it straight from the package for cold dishes like dips and salad.
Here are several applications for imitation crab, broken down by type:
You might be tempted to use imitation crab meat in your recipes if you’re looking for a substitute for canned crab meat and don’t want to spend hours removing the meat from crab shells. Imitation crab meat is made from white fish and processed to closely resemble real crab flavor. Although imitation crab meat has some nutritional benefits, it also contains sweeteners and sodium, so you should only eat a small amount of it.
Two significant nutritional drawbacks of imitation crab are its high sugar and salt content. Each serving of imitation crab contains 10. 6 grams of sugar. Although the crab’s flavor is enhanced by the addition of sugar, you will consume more calories as a result. According to the American Heart Association, you should limit your overall sugar intake to prevent obesity and cardiovascular disease. According to Colorado State University Extension, a 6-ounce serving of imitation crab also has 899 milligrams of sodium, which is 39% of the 2,300 milligram daily limit advised in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010. And that sodium intake is 60% of the 1,500 milligram limit that is advised for African-Americans, those with high blood pressure, and people over the age of 51. A diet high in sodium puts more strain on the kidneys and is linked to a number of illnesses, such as stomach cancer and osteoporosis.
Additionally, imitation crab encourages you to consume more phosphorus and selenium, two nutrients crucial for good health. Phosphorus is essential to all of the cells in your body because it helps with cell communication, regulates enzyme activity, and is needed for DNA synthesis. By supporting blood vessel function, controlling your immune system, and activating proteins linked to cancer prevention, selenium promotes cardiovascular health. Imitation crab contains 479 milligrams of phosphorus, which is 68% of the daily recommended amount, and 38 micrograms of selenium, which is 69% of the daily recommended amount.
Consuming imitation crab increases your vitamin intake, particularly your B-6 and B-12 intake. Because they aid in the production of neurotransmitters, which are substances that facilitate nerve cell communication, both vitamins are important for the health of your nervous system. Both vitamins aid in the development of red blood cells, which is necessary for the transportation of oxygen. A 6-ounce portion of imitation crab offers 0. 22 milligrams of vitamin B-6, or 17% of the daily recommended amount, and 0 97 of a microgram of vitamin B-12, or 40% of the recommended daily B-12 intake
Imitation crab has a low calorie count; even a generous 6-ounce serving only has 162 calories, or 8% of your daily 2,000-calorie intake. Each serving of crab contains 25 calories, with the crab’s carbohydrates accounting for nearly two-thirds of those calories. 5 grams of total carbohydrates, including 0. 8 of a gram of dietary fiber. A 6 ounce serving of imitation crab increases your daily protein intake by 13 grams. Your cells use protein to make enzymes required for cellular metabolism, repair damaged tissues, and synthesize hormones vital to your health. With less than a gram of fat per serving, imitation crab is low in fat.