People buying seafood in restaurants, cafes and other hospitality venues must now be told where it comes from, under regulations that came into effect on 1 July.
Country of origin labelling (CoOL) in the hospitality industry follows similar reforms for supermarkets and other retailers.
The decision to introduce CoOL was announced by the Federal Government last year and followed extensive consultation which found strong support from the public and seafood industry.
The aim is to help consumers make informed choices about the seafood dishes they order and how they’re spending their money.
The new information standard applies to hospitality venues that sell seafood, including restaurants, cafés, takeaways, clubs, pubs, hotels, market stalls, and food trucks.
It requires these businesses to inform consumers whether the seafood they are serving is (A) Australian, (I) imported or a (M) mix of both.
This is known as the AIM model and must be obvious to the customer before they order. This includes on printed and online menus, menu boards or on a sign within the business.
CoOL must be available for all seafood that’s ready to eat as soon as it’s served to consumers whether they’re dining in, picking it up to take home, or having it delivered.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and State and Territory Australian Consumer Law (ACL) regulators are responsible for enforcing the new food labelling system.
Businesses have had a year to transition to the new labelling system. Those that fail to comply may face penalties under the ACL.
Reports of non-compliance can be made to [email protected] or by calling 1300 30 40 54.