Dutch herring reviewers threatened with death

Associated Press
Dutch Herring Reviewers Threatened
By TOBY STERLING
04.07.07

There's something fishy afoot in the world of Dutch herring.

The newspaper Algemeen Dagblad said Wednesday it has received anonymous threats against several of its journalists, threatening to kill them if the paper publishes its 26th annual herring stand review.

The review has become the prime authority on fish merchants in a nation where pickled herring has been the national treat for centuries.

By tradition, Dutch connoisseurs dip the fish in onions and then dangle them above their mouths with one hand before taking a chomp.

Other habits vary by region.

"In Amsterdam, they cut off the tail and always use 'sour' (pickle juice)," Horvius said. "In the south, they like them green (almost raw). In the east, they're more briny."

The Algemeen Dagblad's team consists of a reporter accompanied by the former director of the country's Food and Wares Agency, who examines a stand's cleanliness, and by a fish biologist who takes samples back to the lab to test for bacteria and freshness.

The 102 stands reviewed got the results under embargo last week, in order to give those whose fish stank a chance to respond.

"Experience teaches us that a good report can have a large positive influence" on a vendor's business, reporter Paul Horvius said. He added that he was surprised by the threats because a negative review doesn't matter as much as a positive one.

AD spokesman Ruben Maas said the paper would publish regardless of the threats, which it was taking "extremely seriously."

Rotterdam police declined to comment on whether they viewed vendors with bad reviews as potential suspects - they're casting a wide net.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press.