COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELLING FOR SEAFOOD IN HOSPITALITY
From the business.gov.au website new information has been posted about the new rules and has provided some answers to questions around what is included:
Hospitality businesses must label seafood with country of origin
If you sell seafood dishes for immediate consumption, whether it’s eaten at your venue, taken away, or delivered, you must inform customers where the seafood comes from.
From 1 July 2026, to avoid penalties, you will need to label dishes containing seafood with its country-of-origin information using the following labelling system:
- (A) Australian
- (I) Imported
- (M) Mixed origin.
This new information standard under the Australian Consumer Law helps your customers to make an informed choice about the seafood they eat.
What this applies to
These requirements apply to:
- all hospitality businesses in Australia, such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs, takeaways and fast-food venues, food trucks, market stalls selling ready-to-eat food, hotels and motels serving food (including room service), casinos, amusement parks.
- dishes containing seafood sold for immediate consumption (ready to eat straight away). This includes dine-in, takeaway, and home delivery.
Dishes you need to label
You must clearly label any dishes that contain seafood, this includes:
- dishes where the name or description mentions seafood directly, such as fish and chips or salt and pepper squid; or
- is commonly understood to include seafood, such as surf and turf or oysters Kilpatrick.
When you don’t need to label
You don’t need to provide country of origin information for:
- dishes that you don’t sell as seafood or containing seafood, for example anchovies in a Caesar salad
- seafood products in non-solid form, such as stock, sauce, or paste
- seafood served at a fundraising event
- seafood you serve more than 24 hours after customer orders it, such as catering events.
How to label
You must label the origin of seafood used in each dish you serve using the AIM labelling system in a way that is obvious to the customer before they order.
This information must be in writing, clearly visible, prominent, legible and in English. You may provide the information on:
- your printed and digital menu
- a written menu board
- Food delivery platforms.
Find out more here >>> Labelling seafood in your hospitality business | business.gov.au
