Shark Meat Fed To Students: Brazil’s Hidden School Lunch Scandal

How To Protect The Ocean

Shark Meat Fed To Students in Brazil’s public institutions has sparked outrage after Mongabay uncovered thousands of tons of mislabeled shark meat, including endangered species like angelsharks, being served in schools, hospitals, prisons, and elderly care centers. Labeled as “cação” or “angel fish,” these meals were consumed by thousands of unsuspecting Brazilians, raising urgent concerns for both public health and ocean conservation.

Shark meat in Brazil carries dangerous risks due to high levels of mercury and arsenic that accumulate in these apex predators. Scientists warn that children and vulnerable populations are especially at risk, while conservationists highlight the devastating impact on shark populations that have already declined 71% in open oceans. Lawmakers are calling for hearings, industries are pushing back, and the global conservation community is debating how to respond. This episode investigates how a school lunch scandal reveals the larger crisis of food security, seafood mislabeling, and biodiversity loss.

Mongabay articles: https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazil-serves-potentially-contaminated-shark-meat-to-children-in-public-schools/ https://news.mongabay.com/custom-story/2025/08/revealed-brazilian-state-buys-endangered-angelsharks-for-school-lunches/

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazils-shark-meat-problem/

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazil-cities-order-endangered-angelshark-meat-despite-fishing-ban/

https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazil-cities-vow-to-stop-buying-threatened-shark-meat-after-mongabay-probe/

https://news.mongabay.com/2025/08/mongabay-shark-meat-expose-sparks-call-for-hearing-and-industry-debate/

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