Yes, ALDI's basa (swai/pangasius) fish is generally considered safe to eat, especially when cooked thoroughly, as ALDI sources it from certified farms with quality standards, but concerns exist about the environmental impact and farming practices in the Mekong River, though regulatory bodies monitor water quality, making it a choice dependent on personal preference regarding sustainability and potential contamination.
Americans say it comes from the polluted Mekong River, while the Australians say that the fish comes from fish farms near the Mekong River and is highly recommended.
Imported basa fish is generally considered safe to eat however there are some studies pointing out concerns such as basa fish farmers using chemical agents and drugs to control pathogens and parasites in breeding ponds.
I will leave that to your imagination but for me just knowing the food consists in part of the ground up remains of other fish caught along the Mekong makes the idea of eating basa even less palatable. The piece de resistance however was the discovery that basa is a species of bottom dwelling catfish.
As with any fish, eating too much basa comes with some health risks. Because most fish potentially contain industrial contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and mercury, excess consumption can lead toxins to build up in your body.
KDHE recommends restricting consumption of bottom-feeding fish because of PCBs. Bottom-feeding fish include carp, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, bullheads, sturgeons, buffalos, carpsuckers and other sucker species have been found to have high PCB levels.
Basa is imported from south-east Asia, where it is predominantly farmed along Vietnam's Mekong River in ponds, tanks and cages close to or in the Mekong.
The following fish have low mercury levels and are also high in omega-3 fatty acids:
Key Quality Indicators
Basa fish are farmed along the Mekong River!!! It's one of the most polluted rivers in the world and Basa fish are like catfish they scourge the bottom of the river for food.
Summary
Besides mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Basa fish is also reported to have higher-than-recommended levels of cadmium and lead in certain samples, raising concerns about farming practices and environmental contamination.
Risks of Eating Basa Fish
Basa fish is contaminated by pollutants and waste products such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from industrial sources.
The "best" frozen fish in Australia depends on your needs (quality sashimi, quick meals, budget), but top picks often include high-quality Southern Bluefin Tuna/Yellowtail Kingfish for fine dining (Ferguson Australia), Findus/Birds Eye/Sealord for cleaner crumbed options (Woolworths/Coles), ALDI's NZ Hoki/Pollock for budget, and Costco's individually wrapped Salmon for convenience. For Australian options, look for Barramundi, Snapper, Flathead, and Coral Trout, checking labels for origin and additives.
Avoid packages with signs of frost or ice crystals, which may mean the fish has been stored a long time or thawed and refrozen. Avoid packages where the "frozen" fish flesh is not hard. The fish should not be bendable.
The unhealthiest fish to eat are typically large, predatory species high in mercury like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and imported tilefish, plus bluefin tuna, which are dangerous for brain/nerve health, especially for pregnant women and children; also, farmed salmon and some imported tilapia/catfish raise concerns for contaminants and antibiotics, while orange roughy and Atlantic cod are often cited for high mercury and overfishing/sustainability issues.
Oily fish, like yellowtail and some types of tuna, may also not freeze. Instead, opt for the tastiest and healthiest frozen fish like Pacific cod, catfish, swordfish, tilapia, halibut, or pollack.
Choose fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury such as salmon, trout, tilapia, cod, sole, sardines, shrimp, oysters, and other shellfish. For the most health benefits, choose fatty fish such as salmon, trout, herring, chub mackerel, and sardines. o These fish have healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
In Australia, basa is a popular, affordable, mild-flavored, white-fleshed freshwater catfish (genus Pangasius) imported mainly from Vietnam, known for its soft texture, skinless/boneless fillets, and versatility in cooking, but it's also associated with concerns about farming conditions in the Mekong Delta, though it offers a budget-friendly protein alternative.
After our mythbusters about farmed salmon, we're now turning our attention to a white fish that may be the victim of even more myths and scare-stories: the humble pangasius. The pangasius goes by many names including basa fish, swai or river cobbler. Bad PR in the past may be one reason for its many names.
Basa is a mild-flavoured, affordable whitefish that's widely available in UK supermarkets. It's a great budget-friendly alternative to haddock and cod. For the best option, choose basa certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), GLOBALG. A.P., or Global Seafood Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices.
as unclean (Leviticus 11:27). He tells us that salt and freshwater fish with fins and scales may be eaten (Leviticus 11:9-12), but water creatures without those characteristics (catfish, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, squid, octopi, etc.) should not be eaten.
These non-game fish are the ugly, sucker-mouthed, snaggle-toothed, mottled menagerie of undesirables which includes suckers, gar, bowfin, snakehead, carp, buffalo, freshwater drum, and many others.