What does 'Naturally smoked' fish mean?

Hubby The Engineer and I were discussing what naturally smoked fish means. Forest fire? Anything else is not naturally supplied. Applied means added. Thoughts?

BoulderGalinTokyo
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11 Comments

Rachel G. March 29, 2012
I visited the 'Burren Smokehouse' in Co CLare, Ireland last year. I watched them 'naturally smoke' the salmon. Here is link to their process. Hope this helps.
http://www.burrensmokehouse.ie/blog/about/life-cycle-of-the-wild-salmon/how-we-smoke-our-salmon
 
BoulderGalinTokyo March 29, 2012
Thanks to all who answered. More and more imported goods, so sometimes its hard to know distinctions.
 
ChefOno March 28, 2012
Many people see the term "liquid smoke" and assume it's artificial but it's simply natural wood smoke that has been processed for convenience, utility and economy. Used properly, you won't know the difference. And it's everywhere in the industry. You've probably been consuming it all your life without knowing it.

Artificial smoke is a different story. I'm not a food chemist and I don't know all of what's involved with the stuff but my opinion is it's best to stay away from it. Fortunately, at least in the U.S., it must be clearly labeled "artificial smoke flavor":

"No representation may be made, either directly or implied, that a food flavored with pyroligneous acid or other artificial smoke flavor has been smoked or has a true smoked flavor, or that a seasoning sauce or similar product containing pyroligneous acid or other artificial smoke flavor and used to season or flavor other foods will result in a smoked product or one having a true smoked flavor."
 
BoulderGalinTokyo March 28, 2012
Thank you for explaining it in detail. So the one to avoid is the "artificial smoke flavor"?
 
ChefOno March 29, 2012
In my opinion, yes.
 
BoulderGalinTokyo March 28, 2012
Now I'm really puzzled. I agree with la domestique that artificial smoke sounds yuck! But after reading ChefOno's answer, I don't know. And if liquid smoked product can carry the term 'Smoked' how do you tell the difference?
 
ChefOno March 27, 2012
The line between natural and artificial is open to debate -- except not when it comes to food labeling requirements. The U.S. FDA very specifically regulates the terms (and other countries have similar requirements).

As for smoke flavorings, there are both natural (derived from real wood smoke) and artificial varieties.

The term "Naturally Smoked" indicates the product has been "exposed to smoke generated from burning hardwoods, hardwood sawdust, corn cobs, mesquite, etc.", i.e. the traditional smoking process as opposed to the use of liquid smoke (which can carry the term "Smoked").

However…

The argument could be made that foods smoked over wood are less healthful than foods flavored with liquid smoke products. Tars, ash and other undesirable byproducts are removed during production of liquid smoke but presumably remain when smoked over wood.

 
usuba D. March 27, 2012
It means nothing . . . there is no regulated definition for the work natural in the food industry, so anyone can make up their definition. I would not trust the claim. Only Organic is regulated and defined.
 
la D. March 27, 2012
I agree with jmburns- naturally smoked fish is actually smoked over wood chips or some other material (be it cold smoked or hot). Some smoked fish you will find at the store is injected with artificial smoke flavor- yuck.
 

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jmburns March 27, 2012
I would assume it means that it was not flavor enhanced with chemicals or flavoring like Liquid Smoke.
 
pierino March 27, 2012
I think we are on the same page on this one. Although "natural" and "naturally" are not necessarily meaningful terms when it comes to food labeling.
 
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