MAC and AAC have issued joint recommendations to enhance consumer information on fishery and aquaculture products within the HORECA sector
In a significant push for consumer transparency, the Market Advisory Council (MAC) and Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) have jointly issued recommendations to enhance consumer information on fishery and aquaculture products within the hotels, restaurants, and catering (HORECA) sector.
Announced on 29 October 2024, the recommendations target improved disclosure of origin, species, and production methods for seafood products, aiming to tackle the widespread issue of inconsistent or insufficient consumer information across the European Union.
The current EU legal framework mandates that the HORECA sector must only provide allergen information to consumers, with optional national measures allowing additional details under the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation. However, the councils argue that enhanced transparency in seafood origins and production methods is critical, particularly given the prevalence of prepared and preserved products served in this sector, which generally evade stricter labelling requirements.
Yobana Bermúdez, Chair of the MAC, highlighted the upcoming potential for transparency due to changes in the Fisheries Control Regulation: “When sourcing fresh and frozen fishery and aquaculture products, the HORECA sector has access to the legally required information on origin, species, and production method. With recent revisions, the sector will soon have access to this information for prepared and preserved products as well. There is a strong case for the HORECA sector to voluntarily pass on this information to consumers.”
Brian Thomsen, Chair of the AAC, further emphasised the need for uniform enforcement: “A harmonised approach across the EU’s single market is essential. National and regional authorities must ensure consumer information standards are met, especially to curb misleading information. Moreover, we should strive to meet consumer interest in knowing more about the food they purchase.”
The recommendations by MAC and AAC include specific calls for action:
- Enhanced National Measures: The European Commission should clarify the extent of national measures under the FIC Regulation to allow consumers more comprehensive information.
- Control Measures: Member States and the Commission should intensify controls to detect and prevent misleading labelling in the HORECA sector.
- Harmonised Enforcement: The councils call for consistent application of consumer information standards across EU nations to provide consumers with uniform and reliable information.
- Incentives for Voluntary Information Sharing: The councils urge the EU to incentivise HORECA businesses to voluntarily share additional details on seafood products, particularly as digital tools make tracking more accessible.
This renewed push for transparency follows a 2018 DNA barcoding study revealing that 26% of seafood samples in European eateries were mislabeled. Often, lower-value fish were substituted for premium species, underscoring the economic motivation behind mislabeling and its potential impact on consumer trust.
With sustainability and traceability high on the agenda, the MAC and AAC see their recommendations as pivotal for shaping a more transparent seafood market. Both councils encourage collaboration with the HORECA sector to ensure that consumers are provided with essential information to make informed choices.
The full recommendation is accessible via the MAC website, encouraging stakeholders to engage and support improved seafood labelling practices within Europe’s hospitality and catering industry.
Source: Press Release