Undeclared Allergen Triggers FSIS Recall of Synear Pork and Crab Dumplings

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Sunday, May 31 announced a recall initiated by Synear Foods USA, LLC covering 71,603 pounds of frozen not‑ready‑to‑eat (NRTE) pork and crab soup dumpling products due to mislabeling and undeclared peanuts.

FSIS said the issue was identified during a routine inspection. The affected products were produced between October 15, 2025, and February 23, 2026, and carry establishment number “EST. 45942” inside the USDA mark...

Channel Fish Positions Seafood as SNAP Compliance Solution

Channel Fish Processing is targeting SNAP-authorized retailers with a strategic pitch: value-added seafood can help meet the USDA's expanded "real food" requirements while driving profitability. Starting fall 2026, SNAP retailers must stock at least seven varieties across four staple categories—more than double current requirements—with snacks no longer counting toward compliance.

The processor argues seafood fits perfectly into the protein staple category while offering advantages over fresh meat: extended shelf life through freezing, reduced labor complexity, and broad SNAP eligibility for cold, frozen, or packaged products...

Future Market Insights Projects Plant-Based Fish Market to Reach $3.6 Billion by 2036

Future Market Insights projects the global plant-based fish market to grow from $0.8 billion in 2025 to $3.6 billion by 2036, representing a 14.9% CAGR as sustainable seafood alternatives gain traction across retail and foodservice channels.

Growth is being driven by rising demand for sustainable proteins, expanding plant-based adoption among Gen Z and Millennials, and broader commercialization across supermarkets, frozen foods, and restaurants. Manufacturers are investing in texture innovation, algae- and seaweed-based ingredients, and advanced extrusion technologies...

Genova Premium Tuna Launches Mediterranean Tuna Bowls

Genova Premium Tuna is expanding its convenient seafood portfolio with the launch of Mediterranean Tuna Bowls, a new high-protein, grab-and-go offering aimed at consumers looking for quick meal and snack options.

The new line includes two varieties — Lentil & Grain and Bean Salad — each made with wild-caught, MSC-certified tuna and Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. The bowls contain 25 grams and 24 grams of protein, respectively, and are positioned around whole grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, healthy fats and fiber.

The launch is timed to...

Lund’s Fisheries Names Kimberly Moore Director of Retail Sales

Family‑owned and vertically integrated Lund’s Fisheries has appointed a new director of retail sales.

Headquartered in Cape May, New Jersey, the company has welcomed Kimberly Moore to the role. Moore will focus on strengthening retail relationships, driving growth, and expanding the company’s retail strategy across national and regional accounts. She will also support the development of new value‑added innovations.

"Joining Lund's Fisheries at this stage of their journey is an incredible opportunity," Moore stated. "By combining a legacy of sustainability with our seamless...

NFI Report: US Sushi Market Reaches $22 Billion as Growth Spreads Beyond Coastal Markets

The US sushi industry has reached $22 billion in total value, with restaurant sales alone accounting for $16 billion, according to the first comprehensive market analysis released by the National Fisheries Institute Sushi Council.

The landmark US Sushi Industry Report, conducted by market research firm Spheric Research, reveals sushi's transformation from a niche coastal dining option to a mainstream seafood category driving consumption across diverse demographics and geographic markets.

"Sushi's growth in the US is one of the most compelling...

Target's Good & Gather Tuna Hit with Lawsuit Over 'Sustainably Caught' Marketing Claims

California resident Sue Kim filed a class-action lawsuit against retail giant Target Corporation on March 18, 2026, challenging the company's sustainability claims regarding its private-label Good & Gather tuna products.

Kim's attorneys argue in the Central District of California complaint that Target's tuna products are not sustainably caught despite prominent "Sustainably Caught" labeling and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, citing fishing methods and impacts on marine ecosystems.

The lawsuit focuses specifically on Good & Gather canned and pouch tuna products...

Princes Hits 100% MSC-Certified Tuna Sourcing Milestone

Princes Group says it has met its 2025 goal to source 100% of its branded tuna from Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fisheries, representing around 70 million cans a year, marking what it calls a major step forward for sustainable seafood supply in the UK.

The achievement comes after several years of investment in traceability, collaboration with fishing partners and what the company describes as a large-scale supply chain transformation. Princes set the ambition in 2022 and says it has helped drive a 15‑fold increase in MSC‑certified...

Waitrose Becomes First UK Retailer to Suspend Mackerel Purchases

Waitrose became the first supermarket in the United Kingdom to suspend mackerel sourcing, citing a “stand against overfishing” and its effort to support sustainable fish stocks, the company announced on February 26.

The massive retailer will halt sourcing of fresh, chilled and frozen mackerel by April 29, with tinned mackerel following once its stock has sold through.

Waitrose highlighted the September 2025 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) recommendation to slash mackerel quotas by 70% to help stocks rebuild. Three months later, four Coastal States agreed to cut catches by 48%, and while the retailer believes that move was a step in the right direction, it doesn’t meet the scientific advice.

SeaPak Bets on Lent With Family-Friendly Campaign, Teams Up with Child Nutrition Expert Diana Rice

SeaPak is looking to become the answer for families with picky eaters during Lent this year.

The company wants to make Fridays during the season, which sees millions of Americans abstain from meat, into a discovery period for families that may turn to seafood more often as the work week winds down.

SeaPak will look to accomplish its goals through a partnership with child nutrition expert Diana Rice, who will provide families with tips and tricks to create seafood-focused meals during Lent...

High Liner's Sea Cuisine Debuts Guinness Battered Fish and Shrimp in 1,500 Kroger Stores, Costco

Bringing pub classics to the frozen aisle, Sea Cuisine, one of High Liner Foods’ retail brands, introduced Guinness Battered Fish Strips and Shrimp made from wild-caught Alaska pollock and tail-off shrimp coated in a Guinness-infused batter.

The products are now available in roughly 1,500 Kroger-family stores and in Costco club-size packs as the brand eyes broader North American expansion.

Expanding on its existing portfolio of Guinness Foodservice options, High Liner unveiled the Sea Cuisine Guinness Battered Fish Strips and Shrimp...

Smoked Fish Producer Big O’Smokehouse Partners With Meijer for Local Endcap Program in Michigan

Michigan-based smoked fish and sausage producer Big O’Smokehouse has partnered with major US retailer Meijer through a local endcap program.

Big O’Smokehouse is a third-generation family-owned business based in the Grand Rapids area. It produces summer sausage, salmon jerky and whitefish dip.

Grandpa O’ and his son, Keith Osterhaven, started Big O’ Smokehouse in 1997, and Keith’s son, Bruce, now leads the company. Bruce’s daughter Ellie manages the operations, and Kendra Higgins leads sales and marketing, Meijer noted in a press release...

StarKist Launches ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good’ Campaign Featuring Former Bachelorette, US Hockey Hero

Staple US seafood brand StarKist launched its latest campaign, ‘Fuel Good, Feel Good,’ which is designed to show how fueling up with protein helps consumers accomplish their everyday goals, both big and small.

To bring its new campaign to life, StarKist partnered with a group of creators who will showcase how StarKist’s ready-to-eat products support energy and help people feel good. Partners include former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin, Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson, and former US Olympic hockey hero TJ Oshie...

Koikoi Trading Recalls FU ZHOU FISH BALL for Undeclared Allergens

The FDA recently published a recall issued by Koikoi Trading inc, the manufacturers of FU ZHOU FISH BALL from the Yaba brand.

According to the alert, these items contain allergens (wheat and sesame) that have not been declared on its packeging. 

These items were distributed through foodservice and e-commerce channels and may have reached consumers in states including CA, WA, OR, NY, FL, TX, NJ, IL, MA, GA, AZ, NV, CO.

Affected products have a 24 month shelf life and include:

• 200g (consumer pack)...

GSMC 2026: Keynote Barton Seaver Urges Industry to Own Seafood’s Positive Story

Award-winning chef and author Barton Seaver delivered a compelling keynote urging the seafood industry to embrace and own a positive narrative about seafood’s role as a climate-smart, nutrient-rich protein at the National Fisheries Institute’s Global Seafood Market Conference 2026.

Moving beyond sustainability as simply a challenge to be managed, Seaver called on the entire industry, from chefs to suppliers, to inspire confidence, celebrate culinary diversity, and position seafood as healthy eating.

Drawing on decades of global culinary experience...

GSMC 2026: Seafood at Retail Defined by Subdued Consumer Sentiment, Channel Shifts and Social Buzz

Anne‑Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, opened the Global Seafood Market Conference 2026 with a data‑driven look at retail seafood. Her core message: 2025 was defined by a subdued consumer environment and unpredictable price movements, making performance harder to forecast even as seafood posted modest dollar growth.

Shopper comments captured in the presentation emphasized “astronomical” prices and affordability fatigue — “It’s tough out there,” consumers were quoted as saying in video messages during Roerink's discussion. Retail inflation remained in the...

Princes Shifts Sardine Sourcing to MSC-Certified Iberian Fishery

UK food and drink group Princes Group has begun sourcing sardines from the Marine Stewardship Council( MSC)-certified Iberian purse seine fishery, marking the company’s latest move to expand its range of sustainably certified seafood products.

The transition follows the Iberian sardine fishery receiving MSC certification in July 2025, confirming the fishery meets standards tied to stock health, ecosystem impacts and fisheries management.

Princes said some products entered stores in March, with a broader rollout expected in the coming months. Packaging carrying the MSC ecolabel is...

Sustainable Tuna Becomes Mainstream on UK Supermarket Shelves, MSC Report Finds

Sustainable tuna is rapidly becoming the standard choice for UK shoppers, with nearly half of all supermarket tuna products now carrying the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ecolabel, according to new industry figures.

The MSC UK Tuna Shopper Report 2026 found that 49% of tuna products sold in UK supermarkets are MSC certified, a sharp rise from 18% in 2021. In volume terms, the shift is even larger, with 65% of all supermarket tuna sales now coming from MSC labelled products.

The report, released ahead...

Chicken of the Sea Achieves Full MSC Certification Across Retail Tuna Portfolio

Chicken of the Sea will complete Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification across its entire retail tuna product line by year's end, making it the first of the three major US tuna brands to achieve 100% MSC certification, the company announced May 4.

The milestone positions Chicken of the Sea ahead of competitors StarKist and Bumble Bee in sustainable sourcing commitments. MSC certification ensures that tuna comes from fisheries that demonstrate environmentally sustainable practices, minimal ecosystem impacts, and effective management...

Canada Pushes Seafood Export Growth in Europe at Seafood Expo Global

Canada is stepping up efforts to grow and diversify its fish and seafood exports, with a strong focus on expanding its presence in Europe.

At this year’s Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson met with Canadian exporters, European buyers, and senior officials from Spain, the European Union, and the United Kingdom to discuss strong European demand for Canadian seafood, particularly frozen and value-added products.

Thompson also pointed to growing momentum in Spain, where the Sabores de Canada (or Flavours from...

NOAA Fisheries Hits Two Importers with $223K in Penalties Over Mislabeled 'Dolphin Safe' Tuna

Two seafood companies have agreed to pay $222,902 in civil penalties after NOAA Fisheries investigations found they imported 3.4 million pounds of tuna products from Mexico that were improperly labeled as "dolphin safe," the agency announced this week. NOAA did not identify the companies in its enforcement announcement.

The enforcement actions, stemming from multi-year investigations by NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, targeted a distribution company that imported 74 shipments totaling 2.2 million pounds over 11 months...

Nomad Foods Introduces New Recipe and New Leadership

Nomad Foods' brand, Birds Eye, is relaunching its iconic Fish Finger product after consumer testing showed a preference for the new recipe. This updated recipe features a crunchier coating and flaky 100% white fish fillet. It will be rolled out across Birds Eye's Breaded Omega 3, Cod, and Haddock Fish Finger ranges, with a new packaging design aimed at capturing attention in the freezer aisle.

To celebrate this refresh, the company has launched a multi-million-pound marketing campaign featuring TV, outdoor...

Seafood Excellence Award Finalists Unveiled for Seafood Expo North America 2026

The finalists for the Seafood Excellence Awards have been announced ahead of Seafood Expo North America in Boston.

Diversified, producer of the continent’s largest seafood trade show, said 12 finalists were chosen from the New Product Showcase long list of market‑ready products launched or due to launch in North America in the past 18 months. The finalists were selected from 108 entries and will compete for two honors: Best New Foodservice Product and Best New Retail Product.

An expert panel will evaluate entries on product uniqueness and market...

Lent 2026: Restaurants Push Shrimp and Fish Sandwiches as Retailers Ramp Up Seafood Features

With the Lenten season underway, seafood has taken center stage across foodservice. Restaurants and quick-service operators are promoting fish sandwiches, shrimp items and more as millions of Americans abstain from meat on Fridays over the coming weeks.

Expana’s Courtney Shum covered the retail sector’s shift to Lent, with grocers leaning into features and promotional pricing to drive traffic. Seafood feature volume is building momentum, projected to account for nearly 37% of total protein ads next week. This week, seafood claimed the top spot at 34%...

Echo Falls to Showcase Smoked Salmon Party Slices and On‑The‑Go Salmon Bites at SENA 2026

With one month to go before the seafood industry converges on the Boston Convention Center, Echo Falls Seafoods is gearing up to unveil new products at Seafood Expo North America 2026.

Echo Falls will introduce Smoked Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Party Slices at the show. The item is described as suitable for appetizer bases and comes in three flavors: Pepper, Traditional, and Dill.

The company will also showcase Smoked Atlantic Salmon Bites, a product it calls “game-changing” in the retail snack category...

Iceland Foods Expands ASC-Certified Frozen Seafood Range to 15 SKUs with Salmon, Sea Bass and More

UK retailer Iceland Foods has expanded its Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)-labeled seafood range with new products launched earlier this month.

The expansion supports the company's goal to increase its ASC-certified products to 25 by the end of 2026, offering consumers a wider selection of sustainable seafood options.

Stuart Lendrum, Director of Product, Process & Sustainability at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers want reassurance that the products they choose support a healthier planet, and by growing our responsibly sourced seafood range...

Northern Wind to Roll Out Bon Cuisine Frozen Seafood Line at SENA

Northern Wind will introduce Bon Cuisine, a retail-focused frozen seafood line, at Seafood Expo North America in Boston next month, positioning the line as a ready option for retailers targeting protein-driven shoppers.

The Bon Cuisine range pairs premium shrimp and wild-caught scallops with chef-crafted butter sauces designed for consistent flavor and quick preparation. Northern Wind said the SKUs are built for freezer-case visibility and repeat purchase, delivering restaurant-style results from freezer to plate in about 10 minutes...

Gold Star Distribution Recalls Thousands of Products, Including Canned Fish and More Seafood

Thousands of products from Gold Star Distribution have been recalled due to the presence of rodent and avian contamination. The recall, initially made public in December 2025, has garnered added attention as many staple food brands like Cheerios, Pringles and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are included in the lengthy recall.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that a Gold Star facility in Minneapolis was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine...

GOMSO 1,000-Year JOTGAL Launches “Kkini-Kkini,” a Single-Serve Korean Fermented Seafood Brand

GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL has introduced "Kkini-Kkini," a new brand that translates to "each and every meal" in Korean. This product offers a single-serve portion of Jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood.

"Our goal is to position our products as a versatile K-Superfood that adds healthy depth to any global cuisine," said a spokesperson for GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL. "By introducing this portable Korean traditional fermented seafood to the international market, GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL...

GSMC 2026: Retail Panel Eyes Meal-Planning Gap, Young Consumer Engagement to Drive Seafood Sales

Retail seafood leaders tackled the perennial challenge of growing consumption, this time with a sharper focus on meal planning, in-store visibility, and creating solutions for younger consumers at the 2026 edition of the Global Seafood Market Conference. The panel was moderated by Ken Pentheny, Director of Retail Sales, F.W. Bryce. Panelists included Anne-Marie Roerink, President of 210 Analytics; Jason Driskill, VP - Seafood, Sushi, Meal Simple at H-E-B; and Guy Pizzuti, Seafood Director at Publix...