SFPA publishes new allergen labelling guidance for fish and aquaculture products, urging seafood operators to declare allergens clearly
Seafood Operators Must Clearly Declare Allergens on All Fish and Aquaculture Products
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published a new Food Safety Information Notice (FSIN) offering detailed guidance on allergen labelling requirements for fish and aquaculture products.
The notice is designed to help seafood businesses meet their legal obligations under EU and Irish food labelling legislation.
The guidance, titled “Allergen Labelling Requirements for Fish and Aquaculture Products”, outlines how businesses must comply with Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 and Statutory Instrument No. 489/2014 on the provision of food information to consumers.
The FSIN sets out the requirement for food operators to declare the presence of any of the 14 major allergens, including fish, molluscs, and crustaceans. This applies to all products, whether prepacked or sold loose. According to the SFPA, the obligation includes single-ingredient products like whole fish, where the allergen may seem self-evident.
“Allergen declarations such as ‘contains fish’ or ‘contains crustaceans’ must be explicitly stated, regardless of the product’s format,” the SFPA said. The authority noted that this clarity is vital to protect consumers with food allergies or intolerances.
The allergen declaration must be provided in writing and in English, or both Irish and English. Other languages may also be used, but the inclusion of English is mandatory. The FSIN also highlights that the responsibility extends to identifying allergens in additives or processing aids used during production.
“Allergen labelling is not just a formality, it’s a critical safety requirement,” an SFPA spokesperson said. “Seafood businesses must understand that even where products seem self-explanatory, clear labelling is still a legal obligation. This protects public health and helps consumers make informed choices.”
The SFPA said it remains available to assist seafood businesses with meeting compliance requirements and encouraged operators to contact their support services with any questions.
For further assistance or to obtain the full FSIN document, businesses can email: sfpafood&[email protected]
Source: Press Release