Brakes brings Quoc Viet ASC shrimp to UK foodservice

Brakes Group has become the first foodservice supplier to introduce Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified shrimp in the UK.

Launched at the end of March, Brakes’ new ASC certified shrimp (sold as F114100 M&J Seafood ASC King Prawns, 1 kilogram nett (31-40/lb)) are a natural compliment to its existing range, said ASC.

The shrimp are being supplied by Vietnamese firm Quoc Viet, which was the first Asian shrimp farm to gain ASC certification following independent assessment against the ASC shrimp standard.

Now thousands of customers at pubs, hotels, restaurants, schools and hospitals across the UK can enjoy shrimp, and pangasius, sourced from farms that care for the environment, the people and local communities.

Responsible sourcing is a key element of Brakes strategy. Andrew Crawford, fish and seafood category manager for Brakes, explained how the foodservice provider is looking to grow its range of ASC certified products, starting with the new warmwater shrimp.

“We want to be seen as market leaders in the provision of sustainably and responsibly sourced fish and seafood, driving the foodservice market in the right direction and the introduction of ASC certified products into our product range will help us to do this,” Crawford said.

“We are proud to offer the biggest range of sustainable fish and seafood in the UK and we also work closely with our customers to help them meet their own commitments. Ultimately, sourcing sustainably and responsibly is the right thing to do.”

In May 2015 Brakes became the first national wholesale foodservice supplier to sign the Sustainable Fish City pledge, committing to source fish and seafood only from demonstrably sustainable and responsible sources for its own brand, general sale range by May 2016.

As a further extension of their commitment to protect the marine environment, Brakes have also added three lines of ASC certified pangasius to their product offerings this month.

“We are gradually tailoring our range to fulfil our commitment, and the new ASC certified shrimp and pangasius will help in this process. We have a long history of sustainable fish and seafood initiatives and accomplishments, and looking at our farmed range is the next logical step,” continued Crawford.

“It’s a significant moment to have the first ASC certified prawn in UK foodservice now available. The commitment by Brakes to offer not only shrimp, but also ASC certified Basa, is a strong  example that responsible aquaculture is good for business,” said Esther Luiten, senior commercial marketing manager for ASC. “By choosing ASC certified species, Brakes is supporting farms that protect the environment while offering their customers a responsible choice.”

ASC labelled seafood can be traced back through the supply chain to a responsibly managed fish farm. In order to achieve chain of custody certification each company in the supply chain must meet strict requirements and have in place traceability systems that ensure no product mixing or substitutions can occur, said ASC.

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