Imitation Abalone.
Strolling along the Hypermarket's aisle especially the frozen seafood counters, we came across many types of seafood being offered for sale. Frozen abalone is one of them.
As anyone in Malaysia (also other Asian countries) knows, abalone is a highly prized item. It used to be cheap (in 1960) until it was taxed highly by the authority. When they lowered the tax, the price did not come down.
Till today, canned abalones are placed in 'special' counters next to the cash registers in Chinese medical and speciality shops due to its high cost. Fear of shop lifting loss is high.
That also reminded me of a fateful trip (back in the 70s) to South Thailand for holidays when we were suckered into buying 'canned abalones' at a special price. We bought almost all of the stocks from this store. It turned out to be canned rambutans (fruit) with a fake label. Duh!
It is a 'must-have' when celebrating special occasions at Chinese restaurants especially at wedding feasts.
We spotted a fake at this hypermarket and one need to read the 'fine print' to confirm that it is squid and not abalone you are buying.
Besides its vegetarian version which is made from flour, these fakes are made with large squids, thinly sliced, soaked and processed with monosodium glutamate (MSG) for taste, add artificial abalone flavouring, salt and dark caramel sauce to look and taste like the real thing.
It is also sold at a high price for extreme profits.
Frozen Smoke? South America? Abalone? Squid!!!!! Sotong!!!!!
Is this false advertising? Hey where is the gormen?
One got to be careful when ordering such seafood to be served at weddings because many guests are now aware of such rubbish. One would not like to be called a cheapskate would you?
Another scam is also abound..................it is called ........bullshit sharksfin!!!!
Oh dear,just why are we so ignorant?
