There are two parts to project 2020-093: Discussion Papers on seafood traceability and labelling

TRACEABILITY – PART A
Seafood is one of the most traded food commodities in the world, and has a complex supply chain not just domestically, but globally with further pressures due to COVID-19 impacts. As such, traceability can be a minefield to navigate, but is necessary to build customer and end consumer trust while protecting your brand. 

Within Australia, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), the regulatory body, requires a ‘one up and one down’ approach of tracing food products. ‘One up’ is where the business sold its outward goods to (a customer), and ‘one down’ is where the inward goods came from (a supplier). Internationally, there has been a shift in this approach towards ‘end-to-end’ supply chain traceability, with some calling it ‘bait to plate’. 

Traceability has become a fundamental part of Australian Government policy, with the newly published National Agricultural Innovation Policy Statement October 2021 detailing four priority focus areas. In particular, priorities one, three and four focus on building world-class traceability systems that provide confidence and assurance of Australian product(s) sold from catch/farm through to the end consumer both domestically and internationally. 

A discussion paper has been compiled by Ms Meaghan Dodd (Innovative Food Solutions) that defines traceability; explains why it is important; identifies barriers to adoption; documents laws, standards and guidelines; describes traceability element, systems and technologies; and suggests recommended actions and associated risks going forward. This paper is a living document that attempts to capture the complex and dynamic traceability environment. 

 

LABELLING – PART B
All food sold in Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code. Food label claims are subject to Australian Consumer Law, prohibiting false, misleading or deceptive behaviour.

 

Australian seafood consumers face existing risks and confusion regarding species, nomenclature, and product misrepresentation.

 

The imminent launch of cellular meat and seafood, now being debated globally by producers and regulators, will offer new benefits to consumers. But there are risks. If the Australian seafood industry mishandles these challenges, we will compound existing product misrepresentation and seafood fraud. A Senate Committee is currently assessing the risks and options across meat and seafood consumer products.

 

A discussion paper (with summary) has been compiled by Mr Ewan Colquhoun (Ridge Partners Consultants and Advisers) that updates the issues, challenges and relevant laws, to suggest options and risks going forward. It is a living document which attempts to reflect a very dynamic food labelling environment.