TRADITIONAL Grimsby smoked fish, which last year received European protected status, has achieved a major retail breakthrough.
The up market supermarket group Waitrose, has announced that it will be the first supermarket to sell the PGI (protected geographical indication) in its stores.
Waitrose says that as an ambassador of British food, it is proud to be supporting Grimsby Traditional Smoked Fish. It was also delighted that it had received official recognition, adding that the expertise and time taken to traditionally fillet and smoke cod and haddock so successfully was unique to Grimsby.
Waitrose specialist fish buyer Jeremy Ryland Langley said: "Waitrose has been a supporter of traditional smoked fish for 16 years and it's great that the dedication of the Grimsby producers has been given the recognition it deserves. They produce fantastic tasting fish and have always honoured the smoking methods which are centuries old."
The fish is being supplied by Keith Graham Ltd of Grimsby, which is part of Sealord UK, a major supplier of chilled fish to Waitrose.
Keith Brown,managing director of Sealord UK,, aid everyone involved was very thrilled with the development. "It is nice to have such a top retail name associated with it. The fact Waitrose's smoked fish will have PGI status is a real coup for us."
David Robinson of Grimsby's Economic Development Department and who played a major role in achieving PGI status said: "Excellent news, congratulations to Richard Enderby for having the vision and patience to see the PGI through what was an exhaustive process and to Sealord for taking it to Waitrose.
Traditionally Smoked Grimsby Fish will finally gain the national coverage it so richly deserves through this relationship. A quality product from the UK's premier seafood cluster. "
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
