The Centre for Food Safety has issued guidelines on identifying and labelling oilfish and cod to avoid confusion and to enhance consumer confidence.

To read the guidelines, click here.

The centre's Acting Controller Dr Constance Chan said  fish traders should use scientific names in their transactions to avoid confusion. Each fish species has only one valid scientific name, which is unique and universally recognised.

For oilfish, the scientific names of the two species most commonly reported to cause oily diarrhoea when eaten are Ruvettus pretiosus and Lepidocybium flavobrunneum. To help consumers, these fish species should be labelled "oilfish" as their common names. No other names, including "cod", should be used.

Supplementary info

"Apart from using proper common names on food labels, traders should also provide supplementary information to consumers about potential health risks and cooking methods related to the consumption of 'oilfish'," Dr Chan said.

According to scientific classification, only fish belonging to the order Gadiformes should use a common name containing the word "cod".

She added that while Anoplopoma fimbria, Dissostichus eleginoides and Dissostichus mawsoni do not belong to the order Gadiformes, the existing common names, which include the word 'cod', may continue to be used on food labels, menus or food signs, as long as the corresponding scientific name, common name used in scientific literature or common name recommended by the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation is also provided at the same time.

Widely accepted names

This recommendation takes into account the fact that consumers and the trade have sidely accepted such common names, and such fish species do not pose potential health problems.

"The guidelines have taken into account the requirements of a number of countries on naming, labelling and handling of fish which might cause oily diarrhoea. Members of the trade - including importers, wholesalers, retailers, and restaurant operators - are advised to adopt them to avoid confusion and enhance consumer confidence," Dr Chan said.

The centre will monitor the situation and review the guidelines in consultation with the fish trade and other relevant parties. While the guidelines are mainly for the trade, consumers are urged to refer to them to better understand fish products in the market.