Sainsbury’s is the first U.K. retailer to launch a Marine Stewardship Council-certified tuna sandwich.
With a range of MSC certified pole & line caught sandwiches and salads launching this month, it follows the retailer’s introduction of MSC certified canned skipjack tuna sourced from the Maldives in 2013.
The range, including tuna mayonnaise sandwich launches across stories this week priced at GBP 1.20. The line also includes tuna and sweetcorn sandwich, tuna and cucumber sub roll, tuna and sweetcorn pasta salad and tuna and sweetcorn pasta salad.
The MSC-certified fish is sourced from the Maldives using a low-impact pole and line technique where each wild fish is caught individually to reduce bycatch.
The launch is part of Sainsbury’s sustainability plan that all fish sold will be independently certified as sustainable by 2020.
“This is a really important move by Sainsbury’s. The UK’s first MSC certified tuna sandwich is a milestone for sustainable seafood. Tuna is a poster child for sustainable seafood and Maldivian pole and line-caught skipjack tuna was MSC certified in 2012,” said Toby Middleton, MSC senior country manager.
“By choosing tuna from the Maldives tuna fishery, Sainsbury’s is supporting artisanal fishermen who have made an international difference to the way the Indian Ocean fishery is managed.”
