The 2,500th product bearing the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) eco-label has hit the market: shrimp from Queens in the Netherlands.
It is the first ASC-labeled shrimp product to hit the shelves in the Netherlands, where Dutch consumers have more than 300 labeled products to choose from.
ASC-certified seafood is now available across 44 countries worldwide; the first farm to be certified against ASC standards was less than three years ago. The number of ASC-labeled products in the market has doubled in just over six months; and the number of farms involved in the ASC program has doubled in the last year.
“It is splendid to see how our partners' efforts pay off. Due to their cooperation and diligent work there are now more than 2,500 ASC certified products available in the market offering consumers a responsible choice,” said Esther Luiten, ASC's senior commercial marketing manager.
“We are delighted to mark this milestone with a product from Queens, which has been such a long term supporter. ASC's growth is built on the commitment and support of the certified farms and companies in the ASC program who offer consumers an environmentally and socially responsibly seafood choice.”
The shrimp in Queens Stir Fry natural 175g and Queens Stir Fry sweet chili 175g comes from the family owned company OMARSA, based in Ecuador. OMARSA was the first shrimp producer to earn ASC certification To gain ASC certification the farm took forward a number of initiatives, including mangrove restoration projects.
“We are very excited to start this partnership with a company such as Queens and to supply them with our ASC certified shrimp,” said Sandro Coglitore, CEO of OMARSA. “And, we are confident this is just the beginning with some more ASC certified shrimp products to come in the near future.”
Queens showcased the product at the private label international trade show in Amsterdam this week. Queens offers a wide range of certified products, including pangasius and tilapia.
“It is important to us that we make it easy for customers, they should not have to worry about whether a product is responsible or not. It should be a given,” said Harry Hoogendoorn, managing director of Queens.
