Retailer Snapshot

Safeway is committed to not selling seafood products that have “major sustainability issues associated with them”. As examples, Safeway lists Bluefin tuna, Yellowfin tuna, Atlantic halibut, Chilean seabass, orange roughy, and all species of shark as products that it no longer sells. Instead, Safeway reports that it sells a variety of products that are recommended by Ocean Wise and that whenever possible, Safeway sources wild-caught products that have been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and farmed products that have been certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) or Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP).

In terms of social responsibility, Safeway’s commitment states that it will not source seafood “from suppliers known as harvesting through illegal, unreported or unregulated [IUU] fishing”. All suppliers to Safeways are required to sign Ocean Wise’s code of conduct, and all suppliers of private label products must pass a risk assessment and sign a supplier agreement.

Tweet this retailer and let them know what you like – or don’t like – about their policy. For example:

I discovered on #SeafoodProgress that @SafewayCanada reported in 2016 how much of its seafood met its sustainability commitment, keep it up! Next #transparency action I'd like is more detailed info on your seafood labels Click To Tweet

SeaChoice encourages Safeway to publish details on the international standards for social responsibility that inform its policy, its expectations for suppliers, and the measures it is taking to ensure traceability of products through its supply chain. SeaChoice also recommends that Safeway voluntarily include more information, such as scientific name and geographic origin, on its seafood labels so that its customers can purchase seafood that is in line with their values and preferences.

In the process of developing this profile, SeaChoice corresponded with: Michael Belbas, Fresh Seafood National Category Merchant; Dawn Snyder, Frozen and Processed Seafood National Category Merchant; and Claire Dawson, Ocean Wise Seafood Program Senior Accounts Specialist.

Note: Sobeys’ parent company, Empire Company, bought Safeway Canada in 2013, but the seafood programs of Sobeys and Safeway have some differences. For example, Safeway sells Sobeys’ private label brands in its stores, but Safeway is partnered with the Ocean Wise Seafood Program, and not all of Sobeys stores are on the program.

Step 1: Does the retailer have a comprehensive commitment on sustainable seafood?

Overall Step Score

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway’s commitment to seafood sustainability is to not sell any species that have “major sustainability issues” associated with them. Safeway “no longer sell[s] several unsustainable species that play essential roles in ocean ecosystems and that are now threatened”, listing bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, sharks, Atlantic halibut, Chilean sea bass and orange roughy. Whenever possible, Safeway sources wild-caught products that have been certified by the MSC and farmed products that have been certified by ASC or BAP (personal communication, D. Snyder, 13/06/2019).

  • 0% No publicly available environmental sustainability commitment or policy
  • 20% General commitment to environmentally sustainable seafood without clear objectives, traceability policy or timelines
  • 40% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives for sustainable procurement, but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 60% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards (such as Seafood Watch or Ocean Wise rankings, eco-certifications, etc.), but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 80% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards and a clear and effective traceability policy, but no timeline
  • 100% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards, a clear and effective traceability policy, and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway’s public commitment states that it will not source seafood “from suppliers known as harvesting through illegal, unreported or unregulated [IUU] fishing”. However, Safeway falls under Sobeys’ policy umbrella and adheres to the same social responsibility policy (personal communication, D. Snyder, 24/06/2019): “Sobeys requires that suppliers operating in countries at risk for social compliance issues, provide independent audits as proof that their operations meet [their] expectations”. These expectations include that people involved in the catching, farming and processing of seafood do so under “accepted global standards for safe and fair working conditions”.

  • 0% No publicly available social responsibility commitment or policy
  • 20% General commitment to socially responsible seafood without clear objectives, traceability policy or timelines
  • 40% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives for socially responsible procurement (for example by referring to credible international standards such as ILO, UN Declaration, etc.), but no traceability policy or timelines
  • 60% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives and actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, but no traceability policy or timelines.
  • 80% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, and a clear and effective traceability policy, but no timeline
  • 100% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, a clear and effective traceability policy, and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 2: Is the retailer collecting data to support their commitment?

Overall Step Score

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

What information is the retailer collecting to monitor the environmental and social sustainability of their seafood products?

The step score is based on the average of Step 2 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

As an Ocean Wise partner, Safeway collects data on species’ scientific names for some of its products. This applies to all fresh, frozen and private label seafood, and some shelf stable grocery products (historical data on canned seafood was collected and private label and grocery have been engaged to begin data collection again as per new process; personal communication, D. Snyder, 13/06/2019).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

As an Ocean Wise partner, Safeway collects data on geographical origin for some of its products. This applies to all fresh, frozen and private label seafood, and some shelf stable products (historical data on canned seafood was collected and private label and grocery have been engaged to begin data collection again as per new process; personal communication, D. Snyder, 13/06/2019).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

As an Ocean Wise partner, Safeway collects data on whether products originate from wild-caught or farmed sources for some of its products. This applies to all fresh, frozen and private label seafood, and some shelf stable products (historical data on canned seafood was collected and private label and grocery have been engaged to begin data collection again as per new process; personal communication, D. Snyder, 13/06/2019).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

As an Ocean Wise partner, Safeway collects data on gear type or farming method for some of its products. This applies to all fresh, frozen and private label seafood, and some shelf stable products (historical data on canned seafood was collected and private label and grocery have been engaged to begin data collection again as per new process; personal communication, D. Snyder, 13/06/2019).

  • 0% No data collected (or no information)
  • 50% Data collected for some products
  • 100% Data collected for all products
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 3: Is the retailer making responsible sourcing decisions?

Overall Step Score

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Are the retailer’s procurement decisions supporting their environmental and social sustainability commitments?

The step score is based on the average of Step 3 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that KPI 3.3 was changed in 2019 from “Retailer works with suppliers to address potential human rights and labour abuses, and support sustainable livelihoods for producers” to more specific indicators around retailers’ agreements with their suppliers/vendors to uphold their environmental and social commitments.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway sources some seafood products that are Recommended by the Ocean Wise seafood program.

  • 0% No sustainability criteria used to inform purchasing decisions (or no information available)
  • 100% Sustainabilty criteria used to inform purchasing decisions
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

SeaChoice’s press release from 2016 congratulates Safeway on achieving 92% of its seafood commitment at the end of 2015. However there has been no public report of performance against Safeway’s seafood sustainability commitment in the last three years.

  • 0% Retailer has not reported in last three years how much of their seafood sold meets their sustainability commitment (or no information available)
  • 25% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 50% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 75% percent or more of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • 100% percent of the retailer's seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

All suppliers to Safeways are required to sign Ocean Wise’s code of conduct. All suppliers of private label products for Sobeys must additionally pass a risk assessment and sign a supplier agreement (personal communication, D. Snyder, 27/05/2019).

  • 0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information)
  • 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 75% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment
  • 100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's environmental sustainability commitment and the retailer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld.
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

All suppliers of Sobeys’ private label products must pass a risk assessment by facility and sign a supplier agreement (personal communication, D. Snyder, 27/05/2019).

  • 0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information)
  • 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers some of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 75% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's social responsibility commitment.
  • 100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the retailer's social responsibility commitment and the retailer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld.
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 4: Is the retailer transparent about their commitment?

Overall Step Score

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Is the retailer making information regarding the environmental and social performance of their seafood products publicly available and are they reporting on progress against their sustainable seafood commitment?

The step score is based on the average of Step 4 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway labels all its products with common name as required by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency seafood labelling guidelines, and for some products, indicates whether it is wild or farmed.  Safeway is currently looking into how it can include more information on its seafood labels (personal communication, D. Snyder, 27/05/2019).

  • Species Latin name (the what)
  • Country of origin (the where)
  • Wild or farmed (the how, part 1)
  • Gear type or farming methods (the how, part 2)
  • 0% Retailer does not label products with the information (or no information)
  • 50% Retailer labels some products with the information
  • 100% Retailer labels all products with the information
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway labels its products with eco-labels including Ocean Wise, MSC and BAP as applicable (personal communication, D. Snyder, 27/05/2019).

  • 0% Retailer does not label products with an ecolabel as appropriate (or no information)
  • 100% Retailer labels products with an ecolabel as appropriate OR all products fit under a standard and is communicated as such
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway does not currently disclose this information.

  • 0% No list of products procured with region and gear type has been made available (or no information)
  • 50% Some seafood products with region and gear type has been made available
  • 100% All seafood products with region and gear type has been made available
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway and SeaChoice announced that 92% of Safeway’s seafood procurement was in line with their commitment at the end of 2015.

  • 0% No public information on how the retailer is doing to meet its commitment
  • 50% Retailer has at one point in the past reported publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment
  • 100% Retailer regularly reports publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment (by volume/value, at least every two years)
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 5: Does the retailer educate staff, customers and/or vendors about the importance of their commitment to sustainable seafood?

Overall Step Score

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Is the retailer educating their employees, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders about their sustainable seafood commitment, environmental and social issues in seafood, and the importance of traceability?

The step score is based on the average of Step 5 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that KPI 5.3 changed in 2019 from “Suppliers are required to sign a Code of Conduct to uphold the retailer’s sustainable seafood policy” (now covered by KPIs 3.3 and 3.4) to an indicator of what actions retailers have taken to educate their suppliers/vendors about their sustainable seafood commitment.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway’s commitment includes that, “through a joint effort with Ocean Wise, [Safeway is] continually educating [its] staff and customers on environmental issues”.

  • 0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information)
  • 50% Training programs sometimes conducted or for only some seafood staff
  • 75% Training programs conducted for all seafood staff, but infrequently (less than every two years)
  • 100% Training programs regularly (at least every two years) conducted for all seafood staff
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway seafood counters usually include information that tells customers it is an Ocean Wise partner and where to look online for more information about the Ocean Wise Seafood Program, but beyond this there is no detail about Safeway’s sustainable seafood program.

  • 0% There is no description of the sustainable seafood program in store (or no information)
  • 50% This is some description of the sustainable seafood program in store
  • 100% There is a comprehensive description of the sustainable seafood program in store
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway sends its suppliers and vendors a copy of its sustainable seafood policy after every revision to ensure it is up to date. Safeway also engages with its vendors to discuss sourcing and sustainability issues on key species as often as resources allow (personal communication, D. Snyder, 24/06/2019).

  • 0% The retailer has taken no actions OR no information available
  • 25% The retailer sends its suppliers or vendors a copy of its sustainable seafood commitment or policy
  • 50% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy and sometimes engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet the retailer's expectations.
  • 75% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy and regularly engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet the retailer's expectations.
  • 100% The retailer shares its sustainable seafood commitment or policy, has a clear strategy to engage with its suppliers and provides direct support (e.g. training, resources) to help ensure all seafood product are procured in line with its policies.
  • Scoring Rubric

Step 6: Does the retailer support improvements in fisheries and aquaculture?

Overall Step Score

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Does the retailer sell ‘Priority Seafood’ products (seafood that has high volume of sales in Canadian retail stores and that is generally not recommended by the Ocean Wise Seafood Program), and if so, do they support improvement and how?

The step score is based on the average of Step 6 key performance indicators (KPIs, or step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.

Note that this Step was changed significantly in 2019 to introduce two additional ‘Support Improvement’ actions for each of the Priority Seafood products. This means that if a retailer was engaged in the same actions in 2019 as in 2018, and no more, their score will appear to have decreased). Additionally, KPIs 6.4 and 6.5 on other SeaChoice priority seafood products were generalized into a new KPI that allows retailers to showcase any other actions they are taking to support improvement of specific seafood products (besides shrimp, farmed salmon and skipjack), or to support improvements in seafood sustainability in general.

If it looks like you are only seeing the score for one year it is because the score did not change from year to year. Try clicking off the ‘June 2019’ button below the score bar.

Key Performance Indicators

  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway’s private label farmed salmon products are sourced from Atlantic Canada and are Best Aquaculture Product (BAP) 4 star certified. Safeway also offers alternative product options, including salmon farmed in closed containment facilities, organic and antibiotic-free salmon, and similar species such as farmed Arctic char or trout. Safeway has worked with its National Atlantic Salmon supplier to assess their practices in coordination with third party NGOs (personal communication, D. Snyder, 24/06/2019).”

  • Only sells farmed salmon products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for salmon farming management to be more environmentally sustainable.
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve salmon aquaculture practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve salmon farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially procures farmed salmon from sources that are either Recommended by Ocean Wise or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC certified
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway’s private label farmed shrimp is minimum BAP 2 star certified, and for some products it is preferentially sourcing ASC certified shrimp. Safeway worked with its Wild Argentinian Shrimp suppliers to enter Fisheries Improvement Projects that led to these fisheries becoming Ocean Wise Recommended (personal communication, D. Snyder, 24/06/2019).

  • Only sells farmed shrimp and prawn products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for shrimp and prawn farming management to be more environmentally sustainable.
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially procures shrimp and prawns from sources that are either Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC or BAP certified
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway has been encouraging its tuna suppliers to move towards more sustainable tuna fishing practices. Its main tuna supplier Clover Leaf is now committed to 100% FAD-free skipjack tuna by 2022 (personal communication, D. Snyder, 13/06/2019).

  • Only sells skipjack tuna products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for skipjack fishing methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve skipjack fishery management practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve skipjack fishing practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are either Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
  • Scoring Rubric
  • Canada Safeway
  • National Average

Scoring Rationale

Safeway helps support fisheries that are engaged in improvement projects by committing to sourcing from them as long as the improvements continue. Safeway also supports improvement in seafood commodities by preferentially sourcing Ocean Wise Recommended products and sourcing from fisheries and farms that are certified by the MSC and ASC.

  • Only sells versions of this product that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC/ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
  • Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest or farming method and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
  • Collaborating with other companies pre-competitively to improve fishing or aquaculture practices
  • Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve fishing or farming practices
  • Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or ranked Avoid by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are either Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch
  • Preferentially sources from fisheries/farms that are MSC/ASC certified
  • Sourcing decisions also prioritize products with high levels of social responsibility and traceability
  • 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
  • 17% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
  • 34% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
  • 51% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
  • 68% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
  • 85% Retailer is engaged in five actions to support improvement
  • 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
  • Scoring Rubric
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Seafood Progress Reports

Sustainable Seafood Policy

Link

Location

British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario

SeaChoice is a sustainable seafood partnership of the following three conservation groups: