There is no better example of this than our sourcing policy for Iceland own label fish and seafood. The oceans are one of our most precious resources and we have a duty to protect them. We understand that our customers look to us to deliver products that do not harm the environment and we encourage responsible fishing practices to ensure the future supply of plentiful fish stocks. We take this custodianship very seriously and insist on adherence to rigorous standards from sea or farm to shelf.
Iceland has developed five guiding principles that will ensure that all of Iceland own label fish1 and seafood is 100% responsibly sourced. Our product specifications will be developed to ensure compatibility with these principles:
Traceability – We require suppliers to have traceability of all of our fish and seafood to a specific vessel, so that we can document the method of capture and ocean or area of capture. We then make this information available to you, our customers.
Transparency – We want you to be able to make choices about the food you buy based on accurate and understandable information. All of Iceland own label primary2 fish is labelled with the official name at the point we sell it (called its commercial designation), scientific name, relevant detailed geographical area and category of fish production method.
Risk assessing our supply chain – We monitor our supply chain in great detail. If we think there are areas of potential weakness, then our Fish Technologist requires the supplier of that product to answer a series of detailed questions, so that we can satisfy ourselves that it is caught or farmed in a responsible way.
Responsible sourcing decisions – Our buying team is continually reviewing our products to ensure that the supplier has an individual action plan and an improvement plan in place, if needed. This means we know the steps that they are taking to deal with the risk factors.
Doing the right thing – If we feel there are any areas that still pose potential risks then our Fish Technologist carefully monitors the situation, engages with that supplier regularly and requests updated plans if required.
1When we say “fish”, it has a broad definition covering fish, crustaceans and molluscs whether, breaded, battered or plain
2Primary fish is defined as products that have not been processed other than filleting and being cut into portion sizes
Click here to find out where we source our fish
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