Nothing Flake-y about this decision

Press Release

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

( FRDC )

30. April 2014

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The Australian Fish Names committee today have put an end to consumer confusion and concerns around purchasing shark species with the announcement of the new group name Flake.

The new group name Flake now means that only two shark species, Gummy Shark (Mustelus antarcticus) and Rig (Mustelus lenticulatus) can be sold or marketed in Australia as Flake.

It is very important to note the name Flake only applies to the flesh sold in the Australian marketplace. The whole animal will continue to be referred to its specific fish name Gummy Shark and Rig.

The decision took over twelve months, and included three months of extensive public consultation where over 200 comments and submissions were received; many raising valid points and issues.

The Fish Names Committee met in March to discuss and consider the submissions received based on merits to make the decision to amend the Fish Name Standard on the use of Flake.

Roy Palmer, Fish Names Committee Chair said “the decision was not made lightly. Flake has been the name used in retail or more commonly in fish and chip shops, since about 1920 especially in Southern Australian States.”

However, Flake is also term that has been abused for a long time, to the detriment of both consumers and industry. The committee estimates that as many as 100 different species are sold each year in Australia under the catch-all term ‘Flake’.

From a food safety and traceability point of view, this is an untenable situation, says Mr Palmer. In this day and age, consumers want to know what they are buying.

The committee acknowledges that this solution will not universally be applauded, but limiting its use and putting some rules around it, is a positive step for consumers.

For more information on fish names visit www.fishnames.com.au/

Source: FRDC

The Australian Fish Names committee today have put an end to consumer confusion and concerns around purchasing shark species with the announcement of the new group name Flake. The new group name Flake now means that only two shark species, Gummy Shark (Mustelus antarcticus) and Rig (Mustelus lenticulatus) can be sold or marketed in Australia as Flake. It is very important to note the name Flake only applies to the flesh sold in the Australian marketplace. The whole animal will continue to be referred to its specific fish name Gummy Shark and Rig. The decision took over twelve months, and included three months of extensive public consultation where over 200 comments and submissions were received; many raising valid points and issues. The Fish Names Committee met in March to discuss and consider the submissions received based on merits to make the decision to amend the Fish Name Standard on the use of Flake. Roy Palmer, Fish Names Committee Chair said “the decision was not made lightly. Flake has been the name used in retail or more commonly in fish and chip shops, since about 1920 especially in Southern Australian States.” However, Flake is also term that has been abused for a long time, to the detriment of both consumers and industry. The committee estimates that as many as 100 different species are sold each year in Australia under the catch-all term ‘Flake’. From a food safety and traceability point of view, this is an untenable situation, says Mr Palmer. In this day and age, consumers want to know what they are buying. The committee acknowledges that this solution will not universally be applauded, but limiting its use and putting some rules around it, is a positive step for consumers. For more information on fish names visit www.fishnames.com.au/ – See more at: http://frdc.com.au/knowledge/news_and_media/news/Pages/Nothing-Flake-y-about-this-decision.aspx#sthash.o97CKfA8.dpuf

The Australian Fish Names committee today have put an end to consumer confusion and concerns around purchasing shark species with the announcement of the new group name Flake. The new group name Flake now means that only two shark species, Gummy Shark (Mustelus antarcticus) and Rig (Mustelus lenticulatus) can be sold or marketed in Australia as Flake. It is very important to note the name Flake only applies to the flesh sold in the Australian marketplace. The whole animal will continue to be referred to its specific fish name Gummy Shark and Rig. The decision took over twelve months, and included three months of extensive public consultation where over 200 comments and submissions were received; many raising valid points and issues. The Fish Names Committee met in March to discuss and consider the submissions received based on merits to make the decision to amend the Fish Name Standard on the use of Flake. Roy Palmer, Fish Names Committee Chair said “the decision was not made lightly. Flake has been the name used in retail or more commonly in fish and chip shops, since about 1920 especially in Southern Australian States.” However, Flake is also term that has been abused for a long time, to the detriment of both consumers and industry. The committee estimates that as many as 100 different species are sold each year in Australia under the catch-all term ‘Flake’. From a food safety and traceability point of view, this is an untenable situation, says Mr Palmer. In this day and age, consumers want to know what they are buying. The committee acknowledges that this solution will not universally be applauded, but limiting its use and putting some rules around it, is a positive step for consumers. For more information on fish names visit www.fishnames.com.au/ – See more at: http://frdc.com.au/knowledge/news_and_media/news/Pages/Nothing-Flake-y-about-this-decision.aspx#sthash.o97CKfA8.dpuf