OREANDA-NEWS. IKEA today announces that seafood sold and served in its stores comes from sustainable and responsible sources certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This commitment marks the next step toward a wider offer of healthier and more sustainable food in IKEA restaurants, bistros and Swedish food markets. With more than 23 different ASC and MSC certified species across stores in 47 markets, IKEA is now one of the largest food service providers of responsibly produced fish in the world and brings certified seafood to eight IKEA markets for the very first time.

IKEA Food is continuing to develop according to its new direction. The commitment to offer seafood that is certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) marks a natural next step for IKEA and follows the introduction of veggie balls in April of this year.

“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.

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.

“The commitment to responsible seafood sourcing is an exciting next step in the progression of our food business. Offering healthy, tasty and sustainable food options at affordable prices follows our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people,” says Gerd Diewald, IKEA US Food Manager.

The MSC and ASC certification programs are globally recognised as the world’s most credible, science-based standards for sustainable and responsible seafood and ensure less water pollution, preservation of diversity of species, and good working conditions.

“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).

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.

IKEA will be making the following certified seafood species available to consumers in all IKEA markets:

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