Chain Trader Joe's to stick to sustainable seafood

In the wake of pressure from Greenpeace, Trader Joe's chain has expressed commitment to sourcing only sustainable seafood in the near future, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to Joe's.

In particular, the chain says in their efforts to offer seafood options that fit customer needs ranging from food safety and taste, to concern over the environment, they have established the following goal: all of seafood purchases will shift to sustainable sources by December 31, 2012. This applies to all formats of seafood offered: frozen, fresh, canned, etc.

The company is working with third-party, science-based organizations to establish definitions and parameters for this goal.

It is the chain's intent to have this goal function as a seafood policy that addresses customer concerns including the issues of over fishing, destructive catch or production methods, and the importance of marine reserves.

It is aimed to use purchasing power to leverage change within the seafood supply community.

The company supports leaders within the industry who are making positive efforts to "get off the red list" (e.g. freshwater farmed salmon, closed-containment farmed shrimp).

In addition to the mandatory Country of Origin and Wild/Farm-Raised information currently provided on the company's seafood labels, they are in the process of enhancing package labeling for all seafood items to include information on species' Latin names, origin and catch or production method.

Based on customer feedback and in support of work to source sustainable seafood-the chain stopped selling Chilean Sea Bass in 2005, Orange Roughy in July of 2009, and Red Snapper in March of 2010.

As with all the decisions made about the products offered, this is an ongoing process. The company looks forward to sharing updates on this work in the near future.