I had not had them for years, but a few weeks ago when I was away on holiday I thought I fancy some crispy bits (loose scraps of batter that came off the fish they used to give away for free with chips).

I asked in a couple of shops and they said they could not do it.

Is this against some government rules that they are too fattening incase people eat them all the time?

It's crazy as it's not something I'd have all the time (even if it was free still and I don't even have chips every week).

If so when will it stop? Cheese next?

I was told a few years ago that they recyle those *bits* Not sure whether this is true or not. I live in the south (London) and havent been able to get thos cripsy bits which I love.

I think you can still get them further North

My family have owned chippys for the last 25 years+ and we have never recycled any batter bits.

People eat a lot less fish these days, so there is a lot less batter bits to clean out. Also between frys we also use a sieve scoop to clean bits out of the oil in-between frys, and that all goes into the side trays.

Years ago there we just filled with batter, now it's more of a greasy mulch.

Up here we call them scraps and you can still get them if they are available. You can usually see a pile in the food warmer thingy.

tasty as anything but pure fried fat..a heart attack waiting to happen !

same here

I get scraps every week. The man who owns the shop gives me a big bag full for free.

I think they're called 'scrapings' down here. I haven't seen them for years though.

I remember going home from School many years ago and being able to get a bag of them for free with some salt and vinegar added in, I called them "batter bits." Sounds quite rude now.

Thanks for that.

I may have to give it a go when I go "up North", as the only ones I tried were a couple in Cornwall and one in Essex (they said they are not allowed to sell them anymore).

Josh's Fish N Chip shop in Cleethorpes did them last time I went, either way a place like that or Grimsby are a good starting point due to the big fish industry

I got mine in Cornwall so i don't think it depends on the geography.

'Scraps' are available up here in Leeds. Can't see why there'd be any regulations against them. Nor why chip shops would stop offering them. So it's a bit confusing really.

In Lincoln they call them scrumps, I have no idea why, in Grimsby we call them scraps they tast great.

Ok - it was one if Truro that actually told me that they were not allowed to sell them anymore (one oposite Whetherspoons).

They were lovery chips even without the crispy bits.

Scraps have gone the same way as potato scallops no doubt.

I used to work in a chip shop til last year, we happily used to give people batter bits if they asked

Yummmmmm scrumps (tis what we call them!), love them, craved grease when I was pregnant with my eldest and had chips and scrumps minimum 3 times a week!!! We can get them at our little local but not the chippy restaurant that is near by, but we have recently gone just before closing and they haven't had them due to cleaning up etc.

Ummmmmmmmmm, scrumps

It's the chip scrapings that I love. I always end up with them in a bag of chips when I get them. The chip shops who use pre-packed frozen chips don't have the proper ones. They need to be fresh patatos soaked in water for a while before being fried for them to be perfect

In are local chippy they are still in the hot counter so i guess you could ask for them if you wanted to I never do though