Albertsons meets sustainable sushi goal
Albertsons announced that 100% of the prepared sushi in its stores now aligns with its Responsible Seafood Policy, a goal met one year earlier than expected.
The retailer originally set a goal in 2018 to have its salmon, tuna, shrimp and imitation crab products sourced from suppliers that meet its Responsible Seafood Policy by 2022. Albertsons referred to it as the Top 5 by 2022 Sushi Commitment. Part of that commitment included a discontinuing of eel offerings until it became more sustainably sourced.
Albertsons said salmon, tuna, shrimp and imitation crab used in sushi now meet the chain’s policy, which has the seafood meet these requirements:
- Rated Green for best choice and Yellow as a good alternative by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program;
- Certified to an equivalent environmental standard;
- Sourced from fisheries or farms making measurable and time-bound improvements.
The prepared sushi products join Albertsons Open Nature and waterfront Bistro own brand seafood products also meeting the policy ahead of schedule.
“We owe it to our customers to make sure each and every product is of the highest quality, and at Albertsons Companies, that includes offering seafood from environmentally responsible sources,” said Jewel Hunt, group vice president of bakery and deli food service at Albertsons. “We are thrilled to be achieving our Sushi Commitment early, and look forward to sharing more on our progress across the rest of our seafood portfolio in the coming months.”
The responsibly sourced sushi can be purchased at any of the Albertsons Cos. family of stores where sushi is sold including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, ACME Markets, Randalls, Pavilions, Haggen and Carrs.
Albertsons recognizes that environmental sustainability is just one important element of responsibly sourced seafood, which is why the company's Responsible Seafood Program incorporates additional criteria that are critical to the seafood industry, such as traceability and social responsibility. In collaboration with their sushi vendors and FishWise, Albertsons Cos. is undertaking a traceability project to verify that tuna fishing boats in the company’s sushi supply chains follow international fishing laws and industry best practices as outlined in Albertsons Cos.’ At-Sea Transshipment of Tuna Position Statement.