Sushi lovers, it’s time to say goodbye to the iconic soy sauce fish.
While most of us found a little joy in the silly little soy-filled fella, and the way it perfectly dressed our rolls with one squeeze, we sensed something fishy was going on for a while. Turns out, he’s plastic — and now officially banned.
From 1 September 2025, South Australia will become the first state in the country to ban the 30ml fish-shaped soy sauce containers, as part of the State Government’s Replace the Waste initiative.
The change is part of a broader expansion of single-use plastic bans. Alongside the soy sauce fish, the new phase will also ban plastic fruit stickers, as well as straws, spoons, and forks attached to pre-packaged food and drink containers.
Earlier phases have already phased out items such as plastic stemmed cotton buds, pizza savers, plates, bags, coffee cups, balloon sticks, confetti, and more between 2023 and 2024.
Deputy Premier Susan Close says the plastic ban is about encouraging smarter choices.
“These bans encourage reusable, recyclable or compostable alternatives,” she says. “South Australians are increasingly looking at ways to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics which devastate our environment.
“The State Government will continue to assist South Australian businesses via various programs to assist them transition. Many South Australian businesses have already moved away from single-use items and are embracing reusable and compostable items.”
One of those programs is Plastic Free SA, which has helped dozens of local businesses make the switch. Program coordinator Melissa Rayner says the appetite for change is strong.
“Through our partnership with the State Government, we’ve helped 51 businesses to go ‘plastic free’ and more than 174 others are on the journey to replace the waste and choose better alternatives.”
“Our business partners love the fact we can help them choose appropriate alternatives for their business, and getting advice that helps cut through greenwashing claims while getting the most cost effective and environmentally sound alternatives.”
The soy sauce fish may have been convenient, but its environmental impact wasn’t. Authorities say these bans will cut down on litter and plastic pollution, while nudging businesses and consumers toward more sustainable habits.
So if you’re grabbing sushi-to-go this week, take one last look at the fish-shaped sachet before it swims away for good. A new, more eco-friendly packaging is on the horizon, and SA is hoping the rest of the country will follow its lead.
For more info, click here.
- Banned from 1 September 2025: plastic fruit stickers, plastic soy sauce fish and pre-packaged and attached products such as straws attached to drink containers and spoons and forks attached to pre-packaged food)
(sourced from the Government of South Australia website)
More News
