A case-study on compliance to the EU new requirements for the labelling of fisheries and aquaculture products reveals difficulties in implementing Regulation (EU) n.1379/2013 in some large-scale retail stores in Sardinia (Italy)

Starting from 13 December 2014 the rules for labels accompanying all seafood products for European Union (EU) consumers have been modified. In Reg. (EU) n.1379/2013 on the common organization of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, new requirements providing consumers with more complete information have been introduced. These new requirements integrate the provisions of Reg. (EU) n.1169/2011 and act as a tool to prevent frauds and illegal fishing. The present case-study aimed to investigate the correct enforcement of the Community and National rules on the labelling and marketing of unprocessed fishery and aquaculture products retailed in Sardinia (Italy) between January and June 2016. A total of 480 seafood labels for fresh unpacked fishery and aquaculture products marketed at the fish shops of 8 big supermarkets linked to international and national supply chains have been considered. Overall, 18% of the samples were not in compliance with the European and National rules on labelling. The fishery products marketed in the EU can be mislabelled in different ways: wrong trade name, wrong or missing information about the catch area and the production method. The results of this case-study reveal difficulties of implementation of Reg. (EU) n.1379/2013 in large-scale retail stores in Italy.