UK Seafood Regulation | Seafish

UK Seafood Regulation

Learn how UK seafood laws protect consumers through food safety, labelling, and marketing rules—and what businesses must do to stay compliant.



There are rules to ensure that food on the market is safe to eat and accurately described, regardless of whether it is sold or given away for free. 

These are known as consumer protection regulations. Breaking these rules – even unknowingly – is a criminal offence.  

Food safety legislation 

Food safety laws apply to any action or inaction that could make food unsafe to eat. Responsibility falls on anyone involved in the food supply chain, including business owners and employees. Compliance is essential to protect consumers and avoid legal consequences. 

For more detailed information, see our food safety guidance page: 

Contaminants in seafood

To help protect consumers, strict rules are in place to control contaminants in seafood. Contaminants are unwanted substances that can enter fish and shellfish through their environment, diet, or during processing.

This section provides information on the legal limits for specific contaminants in seafood and the responsibilities of food businesses to ensure products are safe.

Visit the page below to learn more about the types of contaminants and the relevant regulations:

Food Labelling, advertising, and marketing laws 

Laws also govern the information provided to consumers through labelling, advertising, and marketing. this information helps consumers make informed decisions.  

Mandatory information: Certain details must be included on packaging to comply with regulations. This typically includes product descriptions, weight, ingredients, allergen information, and origin.  

Voluntary information: Some claims are optional, often used to market products more effectively. However whether mandatory or voluntary, all information must be truthful and not mislead customers.  

For further guidance, visit our food labelling pages.

Plastic Packaging Tax – Guidance for the Seafood Industry

The UK Plastic Packaging Tax applies to businesses that manufacture or import plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled plastic. This includes packaging commonly used in the seafood industry, such as trays, wrapping, and transport materials.

Seafood businesses need to understand how the tax applies to their operations and supply chains to ensure compliance and reduce environmental impact.

For practical guidance tailored to the seafood sector, visit our webpage via the link below:

Catching and Aquaculture Regulation

Seafood catching and farming in the UK are subject to strict regulations to protect marine environments, support sustainable fishing, and ensure food safety.

This page provides links to Seafish guidance to help businesses understand and comply with the rules for fisheries management, aquaculture, and marine protection.

Find out more via the link below:

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