South Australia bans iconic fish-shaped soy sauce bottles

South Australia has banned the sale and distribution of fish-shaped soy sauce containers, with the measure taking effect on 1 September 2025 as part of its wider legislation on single-use plastics.

The small dispensers, often included with takeaway sushi meals and widely known as shoyu-tai or soy sauce snappers, are being phased out because they are too small to be effectively sorted by recycling machinery. Although the containers are made from recyclable polyethylene, they frequently evade recovery systems and end up in landfill.

The restriction applies to pre-filled soy sauce bottles of 30ml or less that feature a lid, cap, or sealing mechanism. Larger bottles and sachets will not be affected and will continue to be available to consumers.

The measure builds on South Australia’s existing plastics legislation, introduced in 2023, which prohibited the supply of items such as supermarket carrier bags, plastic straws, cotton buds, stirrers, and confetti.

The latest move is part of the state’s ongoing strategy to reduce single-use plastics and promote more sustainable alternatives.