World Wildlife Fund for Nature and Albert Heijn Celebrate Major Conservation Milestone

Through an innovative partnership with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Albert Heijn has reached a major milestone in their programme to promote global resource conservation.

After four years of collaboration, 90 percent of all Albert Heijn private label fish products are certified as environmentally responsible. Whether wild caught of farmed, nearly all of the fish sold at Albert Heijn is now procured from operators who take care to preserve the ecosystem.

Albert Heijn was the first retailer in the world to switch to Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified salmon for their private labelled products. They also sell certified pangasius, tilapia, freshwater trout and farmed shrimp.  The ASC logo gives consumers confidence that the farmed fish they buy has been produced using the best practices, with minimal negative effects on the environment and strict requirements for use of anti-biotics, and respect for the local communities where they operate.

In addition, most of the wild caught fish sold at Albert Heijn carries the Marine Stewardship Council ecolabel.

Together, the WWF and Albert Heijn have leveraged their knowledge of the ecosystem, consumers, and the supply chain to move the seafood market towards more sustainable production. The collaboration was created out of a mutual desire to stop the destruction of the natural environment caused by human consumption and the use of everyday household items. Through innovation and a demand for more responsible practices, the partnership has shown that preserving natural resources is good for the environment, the global community and makes great business sense.

Beyond their work to preserve the marine environment, a large proportion of Albert Heijn’s own brand wood and paper is Forestry Stewardship Council  (FSC) certified and meets stringent regulations for nature conservation and the welfare of the local population.  Albert Heijn stores also sell only responsibly sources palm oil and soy derived from methods that preserve forest and wildlife habit.

You can learn more about the partnership between WWF and Albert Heijn at the link.