For 2024, Sainsbury’s has been awarded both the ASC UK Retailer of the Year Award, and the MSC UK Supermarket of the Year Award. Sainsbury’s is the only supermarket to have received both awards in the same year. This is the second consecutive year Sainsbury’s has been awarded the double win, acknowledging our commitment and progress to our Plan for Better; responsibly sourced food that is better for you, better for the planet and better for everyone.
Sainsbury's was the first UK retailer to commit to sourcing 100 per cent ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) certified farmed seafood and in 2022, became the first UK supermarket to have 100 per cent of its fresh Scottish salmon range independently certified by ASC and RSPCA assured, and have been awarded the ASC UK Retailer of the Year award in 2022, 2023 and now 2024. The transition to 100% independently certified salmon helped Sainsbury’s have the highest number of ASC labelled products on shelf.
Sainsbury’s has the highest percent of wild seafood range MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified out of all UK retailers. In 2023, Sainsbury’s became the only big four supermarket to sell 100% MSC certified, pole and line caught canned tuna across its own label, and became the biggest importer of pole and line caught tuna from the Maldives, where tuna fishing is the number one income after tourism (read more here). As well as it’s improved welfare credentials, pole and line caught tuna typically has a much lower environmental impact and also supports local fisherman employment.
Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture, from Sainsbury’s said: "At Sainsburys, we’re committed to our Plan for Better - better for you, better for the planet and better for everyone. Sourcing from fisheries and aquaculture that are certified as sustainable and responsibly managed is a key part of delivering this plan and something we have been working with our suppliers on for a long time. We are delighted to be the first UK retailer in history to win both the MSC and ASC Retailer of the Year awards, highlighting our efforts towards the responsible sourcing of wild caught and farmed fish.”
George Clark, MSC UK & Ireland Programme Director, said: “Sainsbury’s has made fantastic progress this year and is well deserving of the MSC UK Supermarket of the Year award, reclaiming title after previous wins over the years.
“In the midst of a cost of living crisis, Sainsbury’s has not only provided quality and affordable fish and seafood, but has also prioritised the health of our oceans by selling products from sustainable fisheries.
“By offering seafood with the blue MSC ecolabel, Sainsbury's is ensuring that their customers can make responsible choices, knowing that they are positively impacting our environment.”
Aisla Jones, ASC Market Development Manager UK & Ireland, said “Congratulations to Sainsbury’s on their win! We’re delighted that they have won this award for the second year running through their hard work and commitment to ASC over the past 12 months. With their support we can continue driving our programme forward and setting the standard for farmed seafood.”
Fish and shellfish welfare
We know that animal health and welfare is a key concern and plays a vital role in sustainable food production. Our customers across all our different brands also recognise that. We are committed to uphold the highest of standards and do what we can to improve animal health and welfare by continuing to progress and ensure that all wild caught and farmed seafood (including decapod crustaceans) come from responsibly well managed fisheries and farms with appropriate animal welfare measures in place.
More on fish and shellfish welfare
Wild caught fish
Approximately half of the fish we sell is from wild capture fisheries and half from farmed sources (also known as aquaculture). 80.3% of our wild caught seafood is independently certified to the MSC standard and 100% of our farmed seafood is independently certified to a credible best aquaculture practice standard (we are in transition to the ASC standard)
More on our wild caught fish
Sainsbury's responsibly sourced farmed Scottish salmon
2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the launch of our responsibly sourced Scottish farmed salmon which is reared exclusively on RSPCA Assured farms on the West Coast and Islands of Scotland and is fed a diet specifically formulated to ensure our fresh salmon is high in healthy long-chain omega 3’s.
We are proud to have sourced only Scottish salmon for over a decade helping to support our farmers communities in rural locations.
More on our farmed fish
Working in collaboration
We know that collaboration with key partners is essential for driving progress. We are active members and collaborating with a number of organisations who align with our vision to help us meet our goals.
More on collaboration
Fresh fish ideas
Our ‘Eat Better’ commitment focuses on helping customers make healthy and sustainable choices regardless of their diet. The UK government advise two servings of fish a week – one of which should be oily. We promote this message via the ‘eat 2’ logo on the packaging of fish products. To make sure the fish our customers buy are sustainable we currently ensure that 100% of our farmed seafood and 80.3% of our wild caught fish and seafood is independently certified as sustainable, meaning they are both environmentally and socially responsible making sustainable fish more accessible for our customers.
More on our fresh fish ideas