Clearer labelling for seafood in hospitality becomes mandatory

Following a 12-month transition period, the information standard made under the Australian Consumer Law for seafood country of origin labelling (CoOL) in hospitality settings will now become mandatory on 1 July 2026. The aim of the seafood CoOL is to provide consumers with more transparency about where seafood comes from when they are eating out in hospitality settings.

Under the regulations, restaurants, cafes, takeaways, pubs and clubs must label the country of origin for all seafood in dishes served for immediate consumption using the Australian-Imported-Mixed(AIM) model:

• A — Australian
• I — Imported
• M — Mixed origin

There will be no impact on retailers, like supermarkets, where CoOL for food labelling requirements already apply. 

“I’ve been a proud supporter of mandatory labelling for seafood products because I know it will help support Australia’s seafood industry,” said Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins.

“Australian fisheries are some of the best regulated in the world. When you choose to buy Australian seafood, you can be confident the product is sustainably sourced and that you are not supporting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices.”

The Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) welcomed the introduction of mandatory Country-of-Origin Labelling for seafood in the food service sector.

Image credit: iStock.com/Peter Carruthers