A broad coalition of seafood businesses, consumer groups, NGOs, and culinary leaders – operating under the banner “Follow the Fish”—is pressing the European Commission to overhaul its labeling and traceability requirements for seafood products.
During a recent meeting with European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis, the coalition urged the EU to update its Common Market Organization (CMO) regulations to eliminate a major “information gap” in the current system.
The Issue: The “Processed Seafood” Loophole
Under current EU rules (Article 35 of Regulation EU No. 1379/2013), fresh and frozen seafood sold in the EU must disclose comprehensive details, including:
- Commercial and scientific species name
- Production method (wild-caught vs. farmed)
- Origin/catch area and gear type used
- Defrost status
However, processed products – such as canned tuna, fish sticks, and ready-made meals – are exempt from these detailed labeling rules.
The coalition points out that nearly 70% of the EU’s fish supply is imported, with a significant portion arriving as processed goods. Because foreign-processed products face less stringent labeling than fresh EU-caught seafood, consumers are left in the dark about origin, catching vessel flag states, and production practices.
What the Coalition is Demanding
The “Follow the Fish” campaign is calling for mandatory, universal transparency requirements across all seafood products – regardless of processing, form, or sales venue (including food service). Their goal is to level the playing field, protect buyers from products linked to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and reward supply chains that meet high sustainability and labor standards.
As global markets shift toward stricter traceability and full-chain transparency, regulatory updates in major importing markets like the EU often set precedents for international trade standards and U.S. regulatory frameworks. California processors, importers, and distributors should keep a close eye on these EU policy discussions, as expanded traceability requirements could impact international trade compliance, labeling standards, and global supply chain expectations in the near future.