Albertsons Companies Announces New “Top 5 by 2022” Commitment to Responsibly Source Sushi

BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 22, 2018 -- Albertsons Companies today announced the addition of the “Top 5 by 2022” Sushi Commitment to its Responsible Seafood Program.

As part of its ongoing efforts to advance the sustainability of the extensive seafood offerings at the company’s nearly 2,300+ stores, Albertsons Companies, the second-largest supermarket company in the U.S., is making a public commitment that guarantees its sushi will be sourced sustainably and responsibly.  

The Sushi Commitment is focused on ensuring the Top 5 wild and farmed-raised seafood species used for sushi will meet the company’s strict Responsible Seafood Policy by year-end 2022. It lays out plans to transition tuna, farmed salmon, species of whitefish used for surimi (imitation crab), and farmed shrimp to responsible sources.  In addition, the company pledges to discontinue the sale of unagi (eel) until sustainable sources become available. Not only are wild eel populations in severe decline, but they can’t be bred in captivity and the current situation has led to poaching activities in some regions.

The commitment means that these frequently used sushi ingredients will meet at least one of three requirements:

• Rated Green (best choice) or Yellow (good alternative) by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program; or
• Certified to an equivalent environmental standard; or
• Sourced from fisheries or farms making measurable and time-bound improvements.

“Sushi represents a large and growing opportunity for retailers to affect positive change in seafood sustainability,” said Lori Dupre, Director of Retail Support, Deli Prepared Food. “We’re proud to be a leader and help start this transformation that will maintain the viability of various fish species and their ecosystems.”

The ”Top 5 by 2022” Sushi Commitment was developed as part of an ongoing partnership with FishWise, a non-profit sustainable seafood consultancy.

“Albertsons Companies continues to be an industry leader in seafood sustainability,” said Ashley Greenley, Director of Business Engagement at FishWise. “Despite being a growing sector in grocery, very few retailers, especially of the size of Albertsons Companies, have included sushi in their sustainability policies.”

About Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. We operate stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs, as well as meal kit company Plated based in New York City. Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2016 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave nearly $300 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans outreach.

About FishWise

FishWise is a nonprofit sustainable seafood consultancy offering a range of services that empower businesses and a diverse community of collaborators to lead the transition to a sustainable, responsible seafood industry. For more information, please visit https://www.fishwise.org and follow @FishWiseOrg.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f18daac0-833e-440b-b663-64dbabc28397

Teena Massingill
Albertsons Companies
925-226-5820
[email protected]

Ashley Greenley
FishWise
831-427-1707 ext. 120
[email protected]