Fish and chip shops across Australia will soon need to tell diners where their seafood is from as part of a major change to food labelling.
Hospitality venues including restaurants and pubs will be required to label their fish with the country of origin on their menus.
The new rule is set to be rolled out in 2024 with the government expected to help the seafood industry make the switch.
Fish and chip shops across Australia will soon need to tell diners where their seafood is from as part of a major change to food labelling
The new rules will mean businesses will need to display one of three labels.
These are either A which means the food is from Australia, I to indicate it has been imported from overseas, or M meaning the food contains a mix of both.
Chairman of the NSW Professional Fishers Association Gary Howard said the new labelling standards will help Australia’s seafood industry.
‘I don’t think the community at large really understand seafood and its origins in Australia.’ Mr Howard told Nine News.
‘If we can get more support by the community to buy local seafood, well, that’ll be tremendous.’
The new rule is set to be rolled out in 2024 however they don’t need to do anything just yet with the government expected to help the seafood industry make the switch
The new labels won’t stop Aussies dining out on cheaper imported seafood but Mr Howard said customers need to know more about fresh Australian produce.
‘We have some of the most beautiful seafood that there is in the world and we have some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world but we need the community to understand that…’ Mr Howard said.
Australian seafood exports were worth $2.1billion with imported seafood worth $1.4billion according to the latest figures from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
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