IKEA Makes Responsibly Produced Seafood Available To Over 600M Customers

IKEA today announces that seafood sold and served in its stores comes from sustainable and responsible sources. The IKEA commitment to ASC and MSC certified seafood marks the next step towards a wider offer of healthier and more sustainable food. With more than 23 different certified species across stores in 47 markets, this makes IKEA the food service provider offering the largest variety of certified seafood globally. The commitment brings certified seafood to eight markets for the very first time.

90% of the world’s fish stocks are either fully exploited or overexploited, according to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). As a responsible business IKEA made the commitment to offer only seafood that is certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This marks a natural next step of the new direction for IKEA food and follows the introduction of Veggie balls in April this year. The MSC and ASC certification programs are globally recognised as the world’s most credible, science-based standards for sustainable and responsible seafood.

The total IKEA seafood offering includes over 23 different certified seafood species, such as salmon, herring and shrimp. This makes IKEA the food service provider that offers the largest variety of certified seafood globally. IKEA is also making certified seafood available to consumers in eight new markets where it has not been available before, such as Turkey, Thailand and the Middle East.

– "I am really proud that our customers can enjoy tasty fish that has been responsibly produced by people with good working conditions. This is a result of our high ambitions and commitment regarding the whole value chain; from fisheries and farms to training of our co-workers and certification of the restaurants," says Michael La Cour, Managing Director of IKEA Food Services AB.

– "IKEA is demonstrating global leadership in sustainability. By sourcing and selling only certified sustainable seafood, IKEA is powerfully inspiring consumer choices and influencing sustainable business practices around the world. IKEA's significant commitment is already helping to ensure oceans teeming with life, and secure seafood supplies, for future generations," says Nicolas Guichoux, Global Commercial Director, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

– "I am delighted with IKEA´s decision to source ASC certified responsibly farmed seafood. The global IKEA commitment to the ASC programme is a game changer; introducing the ASC to consumers in many new markets. This is exceptional leadership in supporting the change necessary to promote the development of responsible aquaculture. Customers can now be assured that the salmon in IKEA’s restaurants and Swedish Food Markets comes from farms that respect the environment, the rights of workers and the interests of the local community," says Chris Ninnes, CEO, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

Seafood has a long tradition in Swedish kitchens and it is specifically enjoyed during Christmas, Easter and Midsummer celebrations. Being part of our Swedish heritage, it is sold and served every day at IKEA around the world.

Note to editors
ASC* (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), is an international non-profit organisation that sets environmental and social standard for certifying responsible and well-managed fish farms. It contributes to ensuring availability of seafood, the health of the ocean and the livelihood of local communities that rely of the farms for the long term.

MSC (Marine Stewardship Council), is an international non-profit organisation that certifies sustainable fishery practises for wild caught fish. MSC certified fisheries must continually meet requirements for maintaining fish populations, reducing impacts on the environment and ensuring that the fishery is well managed.

* The ASC Salmon Standard was launched in 2012 as a result of the Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue that began in 2004, initiated by World Wildlife Fund (WWF). This Dialogue involved IKEA and other industry stakeholders.

1. Prawn (Northern) Pandalus borealis
2. Herring Clupea harengus
3. Salmon Salmo salar
4. Alaska Pollock Theragra chalcogramma
5. Cod (Atlantic) Gadus morhua
6. Hoki Macruronus novaezelandiae
7. Hake (cape) Merluccius capensis
8. Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus
9. Pangasius Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
10. Flounder Atheresthes stomias or Atheresthes evermanni
11. Saith Pollachius virens
12. Blue Mussel Mytilus medulis
13. Cod (Pacific) Gadus macrocephalus
14. North Pacific Hake Merlucius productus
15. Patagonian Grenadier Macruronus magellanicus
16. Golden Red fish  Sebastes Marinus
17. Prawn (banana)  Fenneropenaeus merguiensis
18. Scallop (Atlantic)  Placopecten magellanicus
19. Sole (Southern rock)  Lepidopsetta bilineata
20. Sole (yellowfin)  Limanda aspera
21. Whiting (southern blue) Micromesistius australis
22. Salmon (chum) Oncorhynchus keta
23. Salmon (pink) Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

ASC media contact
Sun Brage: sun.brage@asc-aqua.org
Phone: +31 (0) 30 2305 692

For more information about ASC
Website: www.asc-aqua.org
Twitter: @ASC_aqua
LinkedIn: Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
Blog: ascblog.org

Source: ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council)