KNOW THE ORIGIN OF YOUR FISH THIS CHRISTMAS

Know the origin of your fish this Christmas. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), Ireland’s Competent Authority for the protection of seafood safety, has advised consumers to be aware of what to look out for on fish labels this Christmas.

Commenting on seafood labelling regulatory requirements, Paschal Hayes, SFPA Chairperson said:

“Seafood is a staple menu item over the Christmas season. Producers have regulatory obligations to ensure pre-packed product is labelled appropriately to provide consumers with the information necessary to make informed purchasing decisions.  Information which may be of interest to consumers such as country of origin, date of catch, production and/or freezing and the method of catch must be clearly contained on labels as well as a number of other points of information.”

Products pre-packed for the final consumer must be labelled with the following:

• Date(s) of catch or production date and date of freezing (if different from the date of production)
• Scientific name and commercial designation of the species
• Name of the food
• Identification mark
• Production method e.g., caught
• Method of capture e.g., trawls
• Catch area2
• Whether the product has been defrosted
• Date of minimum durability or use by date
• List of ingredients (allergens must be highlighted e.g., crustaceans)
• Any additives such as sodium metabisulphite/ 4-hexylresorcinol
• Net quantity in kg (if glazed, net weight must not include glaze)
• Any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use
• Name & address of the Food Business Operator under whose name the food is marketed
• Country of origin or place of provenance
• Instructions for use, where necessary
• A nutrition declaration, where necessary
• Identification tool (code, barcode, electronic chip, or similar device or marking system)