Albertsons achieves sustainable sourcing for own-brand seafood

All seafood in Albertsons Cos.’ waterfront BISTRO and Open Nature private brands will display the Responsible Choice logo for sustainable sourcing.

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons said the Responsible Choice Logo will be on more than 100 seafood products in the waterfront BISTRO and Open Nature lines. The items are sold at over 2,200 Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, Acme Markets, Randalls, Haggen supermarkets, as well as other store banners.

The Responsible Choice logo signifies that the product meets guidelines under Albertsons Cos.’ Responsible Seafood Policy, which requires seafood be caught or farmed in ways that protect future supplies and thriving ecosystems, the company said. The logo also indicates third-party auditing of the retailer’s sourcing to ensure high standards.

Specifically, the Responsible Seafood Policy calls for products to be green- or yellow-rated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, certified to an equivalent environmental standard, or sourced from fisheries or farms making measurable and time-bound improvements, according to Albertsons.

“For many of our customers, sustainability is just as important as quality, convenience and price,” Chad Coester, senior vice president of Own Brands at Albertsons, said in a statement. “We’re committed to delivering the best of all of the above, and I’m proud of our Own Brands and seafood sourcing teams for pushing to meet this target two-and-a-half years ahead of our Responsible Seafood Policy.”

Related:Albertsons phases out use of eel in sushi

Albertsons’ Responsible Seafood Policy covers the retailer’s practices and commitments in the areas of fresh and frozen seafood and sushi, shelf-stable tuna and seafood traceability, as well as policy engagement. By the end of 2022, the company aims to have 100% of its top 20 wild-caught and farm-raised fresh and private-label frozen seafood and 100% of its top five wild-caught and farmed-raised seafood categories used in its prepared sushi to be sourced in line with the Responsible Seafood Policy.

In its efforts to offer sustainably sourced seafood, Albertsons has worked with nonprofit sustainable seafood consultancy FishWise.

“We want to congratulate Albertsons Cos. on achieving this major milestone towards their 2022 commitment,” commented Tobias Aguirre, CEO of FishWise. “This is a huge accomplishment, especially for a company of this size, and is the result of hard work and unwavering dedication to their Responsible Seafood Program goals."  

A year ago, Albertsons Cos. completed the phaseout of freshwater eel (unagi) from its sushi products. The change came three-and-a-half years ahead of the company’s 2022 deadline. The retailer noted that eel populations are shrinking, and the process of raising farmed eel is unsustainable for the species and the oceans.

Related:Albertsons grows Open Nature with more eco-friendly products