A leading UK supermarket has been ridiculed after placing what shoppers have called a 'bizarre' and 'ridiculous' allergy warning on packets of fresh sea bass, advising customers that the product may contain fish.
The 'Bizarre' Label That Left Shoppers Stunned
The incident, which occurred at Morrisons, saw a sign attached to £4.50 sea bass fillets stating the product 'may contain fish'. A photograph of the label was shared with The Sun newspaper and on social media in January 2026, where it quickly drew widespread criticism and disbelief.
The shopper who spotted the sign commented online, saying: “Whilst looking for something to cook for the weekdays ahead, I couldn’t help notice the allergy advice on the sea bass.” The warning is a legal requirement designed to alert people with serious allergies to potential cross-contamination, but its application on a pure fish product has been met with derision.
Public Backlash: An 'Indictment' on Modern Britain
The reaction from the public was swift and severe, with many linking the overly cautious labelling to broader societal issues. One shopper declared the label was “an indictment on both our education system and our compensation culture.” Another responded with a more Darwinian view, stating: “Natural selection needs to be a thing.”
Morrisons is not alone in this practice. A check of competitor Tesco’s website reveals similar warnings. Their listing for prawns advises it “may contain fish and molluscs”, while a page for salmon notes it “contains fish” and Scottish mussels “contain molluscs”.
Commenting on the Tesco labels, one customer said: “Every little helps, Tesco, but not when it comes to this level of wokeness.” Another added, “I think this just shows the average level of intelligence in our society.”
Mixed Reviews Highlight Broader Product Issues
Beyond the labelling controversy, customer reviews for the Morrisons sea bass product reveal significant concerns over quality and freshness. In a scathing 1-star review, one online delivery customer reported receiving rancid, slimy fillets on two consecutive occasions, despite their fridge being at the correct temperature and the products being within their use-by date.
Another reviewer warned they would not recommend buying the fish online after receiving “old rotten” produce with open packaging. A significant safety concern was also raised by a parent who found “a number of large bones” in three out of four supposedly boneless fillets, deeming them unsafe to cook quickly for children.
However, the product also received positive feedback. Five-star reviews praised the sea bass as “lovely and fresh”, with good flavour and crisp skin when cooked. One happy customer simply stated it was “nice quality and taste.”
The episode highlights the tightrope supermarkets walk between essential food safety legislation, the fear of litigation, and the court of public opinion, where such warnings can be perceived as patronising or absurd.
