Canadian retailer Loblaw Companies last week issued its annual corporate responsibility report, and revealed that 93 percent of the products in its core seafood categories were from sustainable sources.
Seafood sourced for Loblaw’s frozen, fresh, canned and frozen grocery categories were “procured from fully certified sources, sources acceptable with conditions, or sources making meaningful progress toward sustainability,” the company stated.
“In 2014, we established higher standards for ethical supplier production and facilities. More importantly, we assembled a team on the ground in some developing regions where our global production occurs — covering countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh — providing factory oversight and responding to concerns with greater local knowledge,” said Galen Weston, executive chairman and president of Loblaw Companies. “We are now better able to address the challenges of global sourcing than ever before.”
There are 159 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified products in Loblaw stores, more than any other retailer in Canada. And Loblaw was the first retailer in North America last year to offer Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)-certified Atlantic salmon.
“Campaigns like our annual Oceans for Tomorrow event make a difference, but we know there is more work to be done to educate consumers about the measures we can all take to protect our oceans for future generations,” the company stated in its seafood update.
“I’d like to thank Loblaw for their support and commitment to source ASC-certified seafood,” said ASC CEO Chris Ninnes. “By offering consumers ASC-certified salmon, Loblaw gives them the opportunity to recognize and reward more responsible farming as well as contribute to transforming aquaculture towards sustainability.”
