Promised food labelling laws still a bit fishy

Thursday 26 February 2015, Sydney: Greenpeace welcomed yesterday’s announcement by Tony Abbott to toughen up country of origin labelling laws, but warned against leaving Australians in the dark about what fish they’re eating.

The announcement follows sustained public pressure after dozens of people contracted Hepatitis A from frozen berries.

“Of course Australians want to know where their berries are grown. They also want to know where their fish was caught, not just where it was battered,” said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Oceans campaigner.

“And if they’re trying to solve a health problem, it makes little sense to tell people where their fish comes from and leave them in the dark about what type of fish it is.”  

Identifying the species of fish you are eating is not just about taste; some fish species pose serious health impacts.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recommends pregnant women and children under 6 avoid potentially harmful exposure to mercury by limiting their consumption of certain species, such as shark[1].

“Shark is commonly sold in fish and chip shops but it is known to be high in mercury content, which pregnant women and kids should avoid,” explained Pelle.

“Shark poses such a health risk that our own government recommends vulnerable Australians that have eaten shark should avoid eating any other seafood for two weeks.”

“Yet, under current labelling laws, there is no way of telling what fish you are eating, so how can pregnant women avoid it?”

“At the moment, you can go to the pub and order flathead thinking you’ll get fresh “Aussie flathead” and it’s likely you’ll be served a cheap, substitute from South America called ‘Stick Fish’,” he said.

“If you order flathead, you expect flathead. That’s common sense,” said Pelle.

Up until now, it has been left to responsible brands and restaurants to decide whether to label their seafood properly.

“No-one, not even major frozen food companies or large chain restaurants, is required to disclose what fish you’re actually eating.” 

“The Australian Government needs to step in and take responsibility for public health,” concluded Pelle.

The Label My Fish Alliance is demanding improved consumer protection laws to require clear labelling of all seafood, including what fish it is, where it is from and how it was caught or farmed.

The alliance is made up of Greenpeace, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Taronga Zoo and Zoos Victoria and the SEA LIFE Conservation Fund, campaigning with Gourmet Farmer, chef and former restaurant critic Matthew Evans. The campaign is backed by prominent chefs such as Quay Chef Peter Gilmore, MoVida chef Frank Camorra and NY Times best-selling ‘I Quit Sugar’ author Sarah Wilson.

For interviews, contact:

Elsa Evers 0438 204 041

Nathaniel Pelle, 0402 856 063

For more information:

Visit www.labelmyfish.com. A background report includes detailed case studies of poor labelling.