Whole Foods Market – a major natural and organic foods grocer – has declared that on April 22, 2012 the company will stop selling “red-rated” fish. When a fish species is given a “red-rating” from the not-for-profit Blue Ocean Institute or Monterey Bay Aquarium, that food label indicates that the species’ population is depleted due to excessive fishing or is caught using methods that could deplete the fish’s natural habitat.
Whole Foods Market’s original plan was to stop selling red-rated fish by April 22, 2013, but the grocer is a year early on its commitment. They are, reportedly, the only major food chain to cease the sale of red-rated fish.
“We are now able to offer more sustainable seafood choices than ever before, and we are thrilled that our suppliers have worked with us so swiftly to find high-quality green- and yellow-rated seafood so we could not only meet, but beat our deadline. This shift allows us to promote and highlight fisheries that use responsible fishing methods and source from areas where fish are most abundant and fisheries are well-managed,” said David Pilat, Whole Foods Market’s global seafood buyer.
Whole Foods Market will stop purchasing and selling Atlantic halibut, grey sole, skate, octopus and Atlantic cod caught by trawls, a method that can destroy habitats.
With major manufacturer AFA Foods citing the recent rise of “pink slime” as the source of its bankruptcy, it’s clear that today’s consumers are more conscious of when, where and how their food is produced and marketed than ever before.
To satisfy this demand of information, grocers may want to consider investing in a color label printer to create clear and effective food labels to provide customers with clarity and trust with their purchases.