Japan’s Ishimitsu Commits To BAP Certification Program
Japanese food and beverage conglomerate S. Ishimitsu & Co. Ltd. has committed to sourcing seafood from Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)-certified farms and processing plants, the Global Aquaculture Alliance (now the Global Seafood Alliance) announced in mid-August. Ishimitsu-Shoji is currently offering shrimp products with the BAP label.
“We pursue social value as well as economic value. In addition to contributing to local communities, we will utilize the technologies, wisdom and partnerships we have cultivated so far to solve social problems around the world. Expanding sales of BAP-certified products is the first step,” said Mr. Shinji Minami, who works in Ishimitsu’s seafood category.
Ishimitsu consists of three divisions — its food business, which includes seafood, its coffee-and-tea business and its export business. The company is celebrating its 115th anniversary. It’s mission is, “Think together, work together for mutual prosperity.”
“We are very excited to announce this partnership with Ishimitsu-Shoji and I’d like to commend them for recognizing the importance of sourcing seafood that is not only produced using socially ethical manner but also looking at all the facets of responsible seafood production,” said Steve Hart, BAP’s VP of market development for Asia, Oceania, United Kingdom and European Union.
BAP is the world’s largest and most comprehensive third-party aquaculture certification program, with standards encompassing environmental responsibility, social accountability, food safety, and animal health and welfare. There are more than 2,400 BAP-certified farms, processing plants, hatcheries and feed mills worldwide.
About Best Aquaculture Practices
Best Aquaculture Practices is a third-party certification program developed by the Global Seafood Alliance, an international, nonprofit trade association headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA, dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices and Best Seafood Practices certification standards, GSA has become the leading standards-setting organization for seafood.
