Bangkok: Laboratory tests have confirmed that a controversial brand of canned fish contained Nile Tilapia rather than the invasive Blackchin Tilapia suspected by social media users, Thailand's Department of Fisheries said on Wednesday.

According to Thai News Agency, the investigation followed a viral consumer video showing fish that appeared inconsistent with the "Mackerel in Tomato Sauce" description on the label. The discrepancy sparked widespread public concern that manufacturers were using Blackchin Tilapia-an invasive species currently subject to state eradication efforts-as a low-cost substitute.

Thitiporn Laoprasert, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, stated that DNA results from an inspection of a factory in Samut Sakhon on May 5 confirmed the presence of Nile Tilapia. While Nile Tilapia is safe for consumption and belongs to the same Cichlidae family as the Blackchin variety, it is not the mackerel species authorized for the product.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered an immediate recall and seized over 13,000 cans from the factory and retail shelves. The manufacturer has admitted to the error, and the Department of Fisheries is preparing an official report to support legal action. Under Thailand's Food Act, producing food with unauthorized ingredients to deceive consumers constitutes "fake food," a charge that carries a prison sentence of six months to 10 years and fines of up to 100,000 baht.

The canned fish factory owner clarified that the Tilapia-based product was still in the experimental stage and was not intended for commercial distribution. Management is now urgently investigating how the items were leaked to the market.