Legal requirements

Find out what information needs to be on seafood for sale in shops and guidelines for health claims.

Labelling and traceability
Foodstuffs for sale in shops need to follow certain rules regarding traceability. This means that as seafood travels from the fisherman through the supply chain to the consumer, this information has to travel with it. There are also traceability requirements that allow seafood to be traced back to its origin. This is important not only to inform customers but also in case the authorities need to identify the origin of the seafood.

The Food Information Regulation
Regulation 1196/2011, the Food Information Regulation (FIR),  is intended to consolidate all the changes made to the current Food Labelling Regulation and modernise it, as well as ensuring greater consistency of rules between Member States. Most of the provisions in the Regulation apply from 13 December 2014. For the latest update from Seafish (August 2011), click here: /media/publications/SeafishGuidanceNote_FIR_201108.pdf

Omega-3 health claims
Experts agree that we need more Omega-3 in our diet, and the
health benefits of eating foods rich in marine Omega-3, such as fish and shellfish, are well known. But new EU legislation governing the communication of these health messages on pack has changed what producers are allowed to claim about Omega-3.

Remember that the '2 a week' message is not considered to be a health or nutrition claim. Government messages are not included in this regulation, therefore the '2 a week' logo can be used on seafood products without risk of contravening this regulation.

For guidance on using the Omega-3 health claim. click here.

For more information, contact:
Fiona Wright,
Food Standards Officer
e: f_wright@seafish.co.uk
t: 01472 252333.