Seafood country of origin labelling could extend to restaurants, fast food outlets

Recommendations to extend seafood country of origin labelling (CoOL) to restaurants and fast food outlets have been welcomed by the Australian Made Campaign. The recommendations were made by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee.

“The country of origin food labelling legislation has been in place in retailing for a long time now, and it makes sense for this to be extended to foodservice,” Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive Ian Harrison said.

“The Australian Made Campaign strongly supports giving consumers more information about where their food comes from.”

Research from Roy Morgan shows that 90% of Australians are more likely to buy seafood products if they are labelled as locally grown or harvested.

“Australia faces increasing competition in the seafood industry, so it is important that consumers be able to readily identify where the produce they buy is sourced from. When consumers purchase Australian seafood they are supporting local jobs and local communities,” said Harrison.

The committee has recommended that the restaurant and catering industry have 12 months to transition to the new arrangement.

The full report from the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee is available here.