By Kirsty Jones, environmental health expert at Navitas Safety
Seafood & Sustainability - can alternatives and more sustainable environment?
A
s it currently stands, there are an estimated
way in which the food is produced, or in the case of a fish
10,500 fish and chips shops in the UK,
and chip shop, how a fish is caught.
proving just how popular the traditional British cuisine really is.
Whilst it may not be the top of everybody’s list, coming
behind Chinese, Indian and then pizza as the most popular takeaways, the classic ‘chippy tea’ is deemed the least risky of all.
Films and documentaries have only accelerated this, and Netflix’s Seaspiracy shocked the world with some devastating statistics, causing people to ponder over sustainable fishing and the effects of commercial fishing. Sustainable fishing is the act of catching or farming fish and other seafood in such a way that considers the future
In 2019, almost one in five Brits said they visited their
and longevity of each species. This consists of leaving
local chippy once a week, and a third said that they treated
enough fish in the ocean to ensure the replenishment of
themselves to a fish and chip shop takeaway once a month,
the population.
proving its popularity. And more recently, almost one in
The Frozen at Sea Fillets Association represents fisheries
five people ordered fish and chips the night before all UK
in the North Atlantic and explains that 90% of UK fish and
lockdown restrictions came to an end.
chip shops use produce from sustainable fisheries. And
After more than 18 months of uncertainty, consumers
the best way for consumers to seek sustainably sourced
continue to seek consistency and familiarity, as well as a meal
seafood is to look out for the Marine Stewardship Council’s
that is nothing short of satisfactory – which is exactly what
logo and blue tick.
they get when they head down to their local fish and chip shop.
With that in mind, now is the perfect time for businesses
But here, Kirsty Jones, environmental health expert at
to up their game within the realms of sustainability
Navitas Safety, discusses the sustainability of fish and chip
so that our favourite seaside snacks can be enjoyed
shops and whether or not offering seafood alternatives
without damaging the environment, whilst keeping our
will help to serve up a safer and ‘greener’ environment.
consciousness clean and free from guilt.
The sustainable truth, no sea-crets
Alternative offerings and making changes
With food consumers becoming more concerned about
One business owner was so shocked by the impact of
where their food is from and whether it is sustainable
pollution on our oceans that he closed his very own fish
and ethical, this of course poses the question of just how
and chip shop and focused on offering vegetarian and
sustainable our favourite takeaways, such as fish and chip
plant-based alternatives on a full-time basis.
shops, really are.
Foods such as halloumi and vegetables are a much
Sustainability is something that has been on people’s
more sustainable food source, and as we move further
minds, but even more so since the beginning of the
into 2021, is now the time for businesses to be considering
pandemic, with 60% of people reporting that they have
making the switch, or at the very least, offering vegan and
been making more ethical and eco-friendly purchasing
vegetarian alternatives? We think so.
decisions ever since. Both consumers and business owners alike are becoming more apprehensive about not just what they eat, but the 24
Fastfood Professional • October and November 2021
However, it isn’t just the food that can negatively impact the environment. The way in which businesses choose to work plays a huge part in this, too. October and November 2021 • Fastfood Professional
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