El Segundo, California-based Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods has announced an initiative with two of its global shrimp suppliers, Thai Union Frozen PCL and Avanti Frozen Foods, making the company the largest importer of Fair Trade Certified shrimp in the U.S.
This recent fair trade certification is an extension of the Thai Union global sustainability platform, SeaChange. Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods partnered with Thai Union Frozen and Avanti, a Thai Union affiliated company, on the initiative to help increase sustainability and leadership in the industry and category.
According to the company, Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods is the No. 1 importer of frozen shrimp in the U.S. With shrimp as the most consumed seafood in the country, this certification provides U.S. consumers with the volume of Fair Trade Certified options they are demanding.
“Here at Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, we are proud to champion sustainability for both the sea and local communities through Fair Trade USA’s social, environmental and economic standards,” said Bryan Rosenberg, CEO, Thai Union North America.
“In an industry survey we conducted earlier this year, we saw that nearly three fourths of food executives and buyers saw an increase in demand for sustainably caught or raised products. Fair trade certification gives us the opportunity to provide them with what they want in a clear, recognizable way.”
Fair Trade USA works to protect the environment and build resilient, transparent supply chains. Fair trade certification allows consumers to purchase with the trust that each product was made according to rigorous standards that protect workers, farmers, fishers and their communities.
“This initiative bolsters the efforts of conventional seafood partners getting involved in improving global environmental and human rights protections,” said Paul Rice, founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA.
“Thai Union’s commitment to sustainability and the fair trade shrimp initiative helps elevate customer confidence in their leadership in this space and ability to meet consumer demand for seafood they can feel good about. As the first global initiative of its kind, this is a step towards greater equity throughout the seafood supply chain.”
Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Thai Union Group. It operates seafood brands including Chicken of the Sea, Xcellent, Asian Gold, Orion and VanCamps and is sold at retailers, clubs, wholesalers, broadline foodservice operators and national restaurants chains.
For information on the seafood company, visit b2b.chickenofthesea.com.
