FOOD AND HEALTH ESSENTIALS

UK’s Food Standards Agency updates advice on fish labelling and traceability

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) of the United Kingdom has updated its guidance for enforcement authorities as well as food producers and retailers regarding the labelling and traceability of fish and fish products.

The updated guidance is reportedly an effort to address findings of the EU’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety and the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries following a review of audits undertaken in 2011 and 2015. That review identified concerns regarding the ability of relevant parties in the UK to trace fish from capture to point of retail. Hence the need for the FSA to update is guidance accordingly to reinforce the requirements currently in effect under EU regulations.

As issued by the FSA in mid-February, the updated guidance includes a revised Annex I, which addresses the requirements of local authorities. Also included is a revised Annex 2, directed to registered buyers and sellers of fish and fish products, which covers traceability, transport documents, takeover declarations and weighing.