US Foods is First Broadline Foodservice Distributor to Earn MSC Certification Nationwide
US Foods has become the first broadline foodservice distributor in the US to earn certification against the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) standard for responsible seafood sourcing nationwide. The certification validates US Foods' procurement policies for wild-caught seafood at all of its 60 distribution centers throughout the country. “We are pleased to be the first nationwide foodservice distributor to certify all our locations to the MSC Chain of Custody Standard. This certification is just another way to show our commitment to becoming a leader of sustainable foods in the industry.”
Cod stocks in New England’s George Bank may be in even worse shape than suspected. A report from the Northeast fisheries Science Center found research boats were landing less fish this past spring than in all but one spring season dating back to the late 1960s. Catch totals in 2013 were more than three times what researchers were hauling out of the waters during this test run.
In other news Maine Fair Trade Lobster has partnered with Forum Capital in an undisclosed deal that will help the company add products, improve logistics and increase operating efficiencies. Maine Fair Trade includes Garbo Lobster and East Coast Seafood. The companies, now with Forum Capital in the mix, also plan to expand their staff with lobster production pegged to double this year to 9 million pounds. “The right investments in technology and infrastructure will fast forward efficiencies throughout the industry and allow proactive use of valuable industry resources,” said Mike Tourkistas, CEO and president of East Coast Seafood.
Meanwhile, the EU Commission has yellow carded Taiwan after a Greenpeace investigation found a tuna longliner actively participating in a pirate fishing scheme involving sharks and shark fins. The warning gives Taiwan six months to comply with an EU action plan to fix the issues or face trade sanctions on its fisheries imports.
Finally, Russia has banned processed fish imports from Poland after producers refused Russian inspectors entry into Polish processing facilities to audit their operations. “Three months ago, Russia acted similarly when it banned us from exporting canned fish. We will be fine without exporting to Russia, we will find new markets,” said Jerzy Safader, the CEO of fishing company Stanpo.
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