The lack of real time fisheries data for companies can present supply chain and reputational risks. Photo: Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP/Getty Image
by Sissel Waage and Thomas Kraft, Guardian Professionals
The collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh underscored the importance of knowing the origins of consumer goods. Fortunately, tracing product points of origin is not a new area of work. A growing set of methods are available for tracking where goods come from, across a wide variety of consumer products.
Traceability is underway within sustainable forestry certification programmes (such as the Forest Stewardship Council), organic agriculture labelling, and in apparel (such as the Honest By label), and perhaps least well known, with seafood.
For companies, the lack of real-time fisheries data can result in ill-advised sourcing decisions. The reality is simple: without the timely data electronic traceability provides, all seafood retailers and restaurants are at risk of sourcing from collapsing fisheries which could have damaging effects on their brands.
Darden, which owns Red Lobster and a variety of other restaurants, says: “Seafood is the single largest item in Darden’s overall ‘food basket,’ making up more than 30% of the total food we buy. We have a vested interest in ensuring that the supply of seafood on which we rely remains available, affordable and meets the quality and safety standards we expect.”
It is not surprising that retailers—particularly grocers and restaurateurs—are recognising traceability as a key component of brand enhancement and risk mitigation, food safety and consumer confidence. Some leading companies have commitments to sustainable fisheries.
Ahold, which owns Stop & Shop and Giant among other grocery retail outlets and states that: “We realise the importance of working with and supporting fisheries and aquaculture operations that are taking the appropriate steps toward seafood sustainability.”
Darden, which owns Red Lobster and a variety of other restaurants, says: “Seafood is the single largest item in Darden’s overall ‘food basket,’ making up more than 30% of the total food we buy. We have a vested interest in ensuring that the supply of seafood on which we rely remains available, affordable and meets the quality and safety standards we expect.”
McDonald’s says: “Over the past 10 years, McDonald’s commitment to sustainable sourcing has been best exemplified by our global Sustainable Fisheries programme. We have global purchasing standards and perform annual assessments of all suppliers by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP). As a result, 100% of our fish worldwide currently comes from MSC-certified fisheries.”
Traceability in seafood is gaining traction, as companies increasingly recognise the business opportunity. The ability to implement lasting and impactful change is at hand, the technology exists and is field tested.
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