Coles, Woolworths and ALDI misleading customers with 'responsibly sourced' salmon label, groups say
- Replies 14
When you pick up a packet of salmon labelled 'responsibly sourced' from your local supermarket, you trust that the product you're buying is ethically and sustainably produced.
However, recent allegations against major Australian supermarkets Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI suggest that this trust may be misplaced.
The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), representing four environmental groups, has lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
They allege that these supermarkets may be misleading consumers with their 'responsibly sourced' labelling on salmon products.
The crux of the issue? The salmon in question is sourced from Tasmanian farms, more specifically, from Macquarie Harbour.
The Living Oceans Society, Neighbours of Fish Farming, the Bob Brown Foundation, and Ekōclaim that the 'responsibly sourced' label is unqualified and may constitute greenwashing, a deceptive practice where a company presents itself as more environmentally friendly than it truly is.
Salmon farming, particularly in Macquarie Harbour, has been a contentious issue for years.
In September, the federal threatened species scientific committee reported that a drastic decline in water quality attributed to the salmon industry has 'catastrophically' impacted the Maugean skate—an ancient fish species found only in the area.
The environmental groups argue that about 10% of Tasmanian salmon sold in these supermarkets comes from these controversial farms.
'When a company makes false claims about its products, it wrongfully gains a competitive advantage by misleading customers who want to do the right thing,' EDO lawyer Kirsty Ruddock said on behalf of the four environmental groups.
'Our clients allege ALDI, Coles and Woolworths may have used misleading or deceptive statements to capitalise on the public’s strong preference to buy sustainably farmed salmon.'
In response to concerns raised by environmental groups, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek initiated a review of the salmon industry's operations in Macquarie Harbour.
The review assessed whether the industry has the necessary permits to operate in the area.
This decision follows an application filed by the Australia Institute, the Bob Brown Foundation, and the Environmental Defenders Office, who claimed that the salmon industry was harming the Maugean skate.
In July, more than 80 organisations also requested the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Global G.A.P. (GGN), which are two international accreditation schemes, to revoke the certifications issued to salmon and trout farmed in Macquarie Harbour as they argued that the certification was misleading.
The RSPCA and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council have also withdrawn their endorsement of certified salmon sourced from Macquarie Harbour farms due to the known environmental impacts.
In August, the environmental groups wrote to Woolworths, ALDI, and Coles requesting them to stop procuring salmon from the farm and to remove the 'responsibly sourced' logo from the packaging, and used the decline of Maugean skate as evidence.
'No urgent due diligence by way of removing the product from shelves, or at the very least the removal of environmental claims, has been taken by the supermarkets or certifications to date,' Kelly Roebuck, the SeaChoice representative for Living Oceans said.
'Marketing extinction as “responsible” and “best practice” is greenwashing at its worst.'
Meanwhile, in response to the group’s complaint, a spokesperson for Woolworths stated that they have stringent protocols to ensure products meet their seafood sourcing policy.
They also noted that they are aware of the concerns regarding Macquarie Harbour farms and are closely monitoring developments.
'We note that the industry, state, and federal governments are taking this matter seriously and that a review is underway along with investment into research to better understand the issue and protect the Maugean skate.'
It is understood that Coles was contacted for comment but did not respond in time, while ALDI has declined to comment on the issue.
What are your thoughts on this issue, dear readers? Have you been buying 'responsibly sourced' salmon from these supermarkets? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
However, recent allegations against major Australian supermarkets Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI suggest that this trust may be misplaced.
The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), representing four environmental groups, has lodged a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
They allege that these supermarkets may be misleading consumers with their 'responsibly sourced' labelling on salmon products.
Salmon products sourced from Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour were reportedly affecting the Maugean skate in the area. Image source: yastremskaolga on Freepik.
The crux of the issue? The salmon in question is sourced from Tasmanian farms, more specifically, from Macquarie Harbour.
The Living Oceans Society, Neighbours of Fish Farming, the Bob Brown Foundation, and Ekōclaim that the 'responsibly sourced' label is unqualified and may constitute greenwashing, a deceptive practice where a company presents itself as more environmentally friendly than it truly is.
Salmon farming, particularly in Macquarie Harbour, has been a contentious issue for years.
In September, the federal threatened species scientific committee reported that a drastic decline in water quality attributed to the salmon industry has 'catastrophically' impacted the Maugean skate—an ancient fish species found only in the area.
The environmental groups argue that about 10% of Tasmanian salmon sold in these supermarkets comes from these controversial farms.
'When a company makes false claims about its products, it wrongfully gains a competitive advantage by misleading customers who want to do the right thing,' EDO lawyer Kirsty Ruddock said on behalf of the four environmental groups.
'Our clients allege ALDI, Coles and Woolworths may have used misleading or deceptive statements to capitalise on the public’s strong preference to buy sustainably farmed salmon.'
In response to concerns raised by environmental groups, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek initiated a review of the salmon industry's operations in Macquarie Harbour.
The review assessed whether the industry has the necessary permits to operate in the area.
This decision follows an application filed by the Australia Institute, the Bob Brown Foundation, and the Environmental Defenders Office, who claimed that the salmon industry was harming the Maugean skate.
In July, more than 80 organisations also requested the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Global G.A.P. (GGN), which are two international accreditation schemes, to revoke the certifications issued to salmon and trout farmed in Macquarie Harbour as they argued that the certification was misleading.
The RSPCA and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council have also withdrawn their endorsement of certified salmon sourced from Macquarie Harbour farms due to the known environmental impacts.
In August, the environmental groups wrote to Woolworths, ALDI, and Coles requesting them to stop procuring salmon from the farm and to remove the 'responsibly sourced' logo from the packaging, and used the decline of Maugean skate as evidence.
'No urgent due diligence by way of removing the product from shelves, or at the very least the removal of environmental claims, has been taken by the supermarkets or certifications to date,' Kelly Roebuck, the SeaChoice representative for Living Oceans said.
'Marketing extinction as “responsible” and “best practice” is greenwashing at its worst.'
Meanwhile, in response to the group’s complaint, a spokesperson for Woolworths stated that they have stringent protocols to ensure products meet their seafood sourcing policy.
They also noted that they are aware of the concerns regarding Macquarie Harbour farms and are closely monitoring developments.
'We note that the industry, state, and federal governments are taking this matter seriously and that a review is underway along with investment into research to better understand the issue and protect the Maugean skate.'
It is understood that Coles was contacted for comment but did not respond in time, while ALDI has declined to comment on the issue.
.png){kind=icon}
going on here
well shit there's a he'll of a lot of coast line in Tasmania guaranteed they haven't looked at the whole of Tasmanian coast 
