Ian’s awarded MSC certification and adds ecolabel to packaging of allergy-friendly fish sticks
Jan 25, 2012
Ian’s, a leading producer of all-natural, allergy-friendly convenience foods, has received Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody certification for its Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Fish Sticks. Adding the MSC ecolabel to these products gives consumers confidence the whole-fillet Alaska pollock used to produce them is sourced from an MSC certified sustainable fishery.
What Ian’s says
“It is important to Ian’s that kids with food allergies can enjoy the same kinds of foods their friends do, and for the last decade Ian’s has pioneered delicious and convenient solutions for families,” said Dena Zigun, Director of Marketing for Ian’s. “We’re excited to offer fish sticks that are not only free of many common allergens, but an environmentally-friendly, sustainable option as well.”
What MSC says
“MSC welcomes Ian’s to the program and applauds the company’s commitment to seafood sustainability by choosing to source from an MSC certified fishery and using the ecolabel to communicate this commitment to their customers,” said Kerry Coughlin, regional director for MSC Americas. “Our many commercial partners are integral to the success of the MSC program and raising consumer awareness about the importance of sustainable seafood.”
About Ian’s
Founded in 2001, Ian’s Natural Foods is a leading provider of high-quality, all-natural, allergy-friendly foods, based in Framingham, Massachusetts. Ian’s offers an assortment of more than 30 allergy-friendly items available nationwide at local natural and organic retailers, such as Whole Foods Market and PCC, and in the natural section of many grocery stores including Giant, Kroger, Wegmans, and Publix.
About Chain of Custody
The MSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification is a comprehensive traceability program that traces seafood from the point of sale back to an MSC certified fishery. It ensures that MSC labeled products are sourced from a fishery that is MSC certified, and it helps protect buyers and the fishery from fraudulent labeling and any mixing with products from illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. As a result, the sustainability of the seafood product is ensured, the MSC certified fishery of origin receives well-deserved recognition, and incentive is created for other fisheries to commit to environmentally responsible fishing practices.
For a seafood product to carry the MSC ecolabel, it must come from a certified fishery and every point in the supply chain where there is an opportunity to substitute or co-mingle with other seafood must have CoC certification to ensure that does not occur. The CoC standard focuses on having an internal traceability system and reliable operational systems in place to ensure that MSC certified seafood is kept separate from noncertified seafood. Worldwide, more than 1,900 companies have obtained CoC certification.
Further information
For media inquiries please contact media@msc.org.
