Walmart - SeaChoice

Sustainability Commitment. Walmart Canada’s Sustainable Seafood Policy states that by 2025, “based on price, availability, quality, customer demand, and unique regulatory environments across its global retail markets”, all suppliers of its fresh and frozen seafood products will be sourced from fisheries or farms that are certified by MSC or BAP, or by an equivalent program that follows FAO Guidelines and is recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, or actively working towards certification, or in a FIP or AIP. Additionally, it states that all canned light and white tuna suppliers will comply with ISSF standards, and be certified MSC or actively working toward certification or in a Fishery Improvement Project that has definitive and ambitious goals, measurable metrics and time bound milestones. Walmart supports these commitments with a full chain traceability policy (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

Clear Objectives

Supplier Expectations

Traceability Policy

Reporting on Activities

Social Responsibility Commitment. Walmart’s suppliers are expected to comply with Walmart’s Standards for Suppliers and applicable Responsible Sourcing Program requirements. The Standards for Suppliers apply throughout the supply chain and set out Walmart’s expectations of suppliers and their facilities regarding the ethical treatment of workers, workplace safety, environmental responsibility and appropriate business practices. The company verifies supplier compliance against Walmart’s Standards for Suppliers (which includes a component on freedom of assocation) through the use of social, safety and environmental compliance audits which follow a risk-based approach. Finally, Walmart reported on the results of its FY2022 social compliance audits through its 2022 ESG Report. The report also includes a table breaking down the number of responsible sourcing allegations it received through its worker voice tool by category in FY2022 (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

Step Scores

1 Commitment on sustainable seafood

Does the grocer have comprehensive seafood commitments?

2 Colecting Data

Does the grocer collect data to support its commitment?

3 Responsible Sourcing

Does the grocer make responsible sourcing decisions?

4 Transparency

Is the grocer transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

5 Education

Does the grocer educate key stakeholders about the importance of its seafood commitments?

6 Supporting System Improvements

Does the grocer take initiative to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

Notes

In the process of developing Walmart’s 2023 profile, SeaChoice corresponded with Jennifer Barbazza, Manager of Sustainability and Polly Chen, Sustainability Specialist at Walmart Canada, as well as Heather Sadusky, Partnership Program Director at Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

Step Scores

1 Commitments

Does the grocer have comprehensive seafood commitments?

2 Collecting Data

Does the grocer collect data to support its commitment?

3 Responsible Sourcing

Does the grocer make responsible sourcing decisions?

4 Transparency

Is the grocer transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

5 Education

Does the grocer educate key stakeholders about the importance of its seafood commitments?

6 Taking Initiative

Does the grocer take initiative to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

Notes

Step 1: Commitment

1 Commitment

Does the grocer have comprehensive seafood commitments?

Overall

Does the retailer support improvements in fisheries and aquaculture?

Commitment to Sustainable Seafood

How retailers’ sustainable seafood policies and commitments apply to different segments of their products.

	Fresh	Frozen	Shelf
Store brand
Seafood brand
No brand

1.1 The grocer has a publicly available commitment on environmentally sustainable seafood.

Walmart Canada’s Sustainable Seafood Policy states that by 2025, “based on price, availability, quality, customer demand, and unique regulatory environments across its global retail markets”, all suppliers of its fresh and frozen seafood products will be sourced from fisheries or farms that are certified by MSC or BAP, or by an equivalent program that follows FAO Guidelines and is recognized by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, or actively working towards certification, or in a FIP or AIP. Additionally, it states that all canned light and white tuna suppliers will comply with ISSF standards, and be certified MSC or actively working toward certification or in a Fishery Improvement Project that has definitive and ambitious goals, measurable metrics and time bound milestones. Walmart supports these commitments with a full chain traceability policy (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% No publicly available environmental sustainability commitment.

20% General commitment to environmentally sustainable seafood.

40% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives for sustainable procurement.

60% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards (such as Seafood Watch or Ocean Wise ratings, eco-certifications, etc.).

80% Commitment to environmental sustainability that includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards and a full chain traceability policy in place (or a timeline set for implementation) that traces at least the product scientific name, geographic origin, farmed/wild and harvest method.

100% Commitment to environmental sustainability includes clear objectives that are supported by references to credible standards, a full chain traceability policy and a timeline for meeting the commitment (unless the commitment has already been met).

1.2 The grocer has a publicly available commitment on socially responsible seafood.

Walmart’s suppliers are expected to comply with Walmart’s Standards for Suppliers and applicable Responsible Sourcing Program requirements. The Standards for Suppliers apply throughout the supply chain and set out Walmart’s expectations of suppliers and their facilities regarding the ethical treatment of workers, workplace safety, environmental responsibility and appropriate business practices. The company verifies supplier compliance against Walmart’s Standards for Suppliers (which includes a component on freedom of assocation) through the use of social, safety and environmental compliance audits which follow a risk-based approach. Finally, Walmart reported on the results of its FY2022 social compliance audits through its 2022 ESG Report. The report also includes a table breaking down the number of responsible sourcing allegations it received through its worker voice tool by category in FY2022 (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% No publicly available social responsibility commitment.

20% General commitment to socially responsible seafood.

40% Commitment to social responsibility includes with worker driven objectives that are based on credible international standards (The UN’s Guiding Principles, The WBA’s Seafood Stewardship Index, ILO and the UN Declaration).

60% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives and actions or expectations for seafood suppliers.

80% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, and a clear and effective traceability policy that at least involves tracing data on the existence of an independent trade union or representative worker organization.

100% Commitment to social responsibility includes clear objectives, actions or expectations for seafood suppliers, a clear and effective traceability policy, and the grocer reports publicly on activities to support social responsibility on at least an annual basis.

1.3 The grocer includes all banners that sell seafood in its sustainable seafood commitment.

Walmart Canada covers all of its stores in its sustainable seafood commitment (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% The grocer does not include any banners in its sustainable seafood commitment.

25% The grocer includes 25% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment.

50% The grocer includes 50% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment.

75% The grocer includes 75% or more of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment.

100% The grocer includes 100% of its banners in its sustainable seafood commitment.

1.4 The grocer includes all shelf stable and national brand products in its sustainable seafood commitment.

Walmart Canada’s sustainable seafood commitment includes all canned tuna products but not other shelf stable products (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% The grocer’s commitment includes neither all of its shelf stable or national brand products.

50% The grocer’s commitment includes all of its shelf stable or national brand products.

100% The grocer’s commitment includes all of its shelf stable AND national brand products.

Step 2: Collecting Data

2 Collecting Data

Does the grocer collect data to support its commitment?

2.1 The grocer collects data on scientific name.

Walmart collects this data on all seafood products covered under its sustainability commitment (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.2 The grocer collects data on geographic origin.

Walmart collects this data on all seafood products covered under its sustainability commitment (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.3 The grocer collects data on whether wild or farmed.

Walmart collects this data on all seafood products covered under its sustainability commitment (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

2.4 The grocer collects data on gear type or farming methods.

Walmart collects this data on all seafood products covered under its sustainability commitment (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% Does not collect data (or no information available).

50% Collects data for some products included in the grocer’s commitment.

100% Collects data for all products included in the grocer’s commitment.

Step 3: Sourcing

3 Responsible Sourcing

Does the grocer make responsible sourcing decisions?

3.1 The grocer publishes a clear hierarchy demonstrating its sourcing priorities.

Walmart publishes a general list of sustainability standards used for sourcing all its fresh and frozen seafood and canned tuna, and does not identify any standards for all other shelf stable products.

0% Does not publish the sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions.

25% Publishes a general list of sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions.

50% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards used for sourcing some products, but doesn’t identify the standards it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for other products.

75% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards used for sourcing some products, and identifies a general list of sustainability standards that it uses to inform its purchasing decisions for other products.

100% Publishes a clear hierarchy of sustainability standards demonstrating its sourcing priorities for all products it sells.

3.2 The grocer has reported on the percentage of its seafood sold in the last year that met its sustainability commitment by volume or value.

Walmart publishes a breakdown of percentages by category through its annual ESG reports, but does not report on one comprehensive percentage that was in line with its commitment.

0% The grocer has not reported on the percentage of seafood sold that met its sustainability commitment (or no information available).

25% Grocer has reported that 25% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

50% Grocer has reported that 50% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

75% Grocer has reported that 75% or more of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

100% Grocer has reported that 100% of its seafood sold meets its sustainability commitment.

3.3 Suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold the grocer's commitment to sustainable seafood.

All of Walmart’s suppliers sign a vendor agreement which includes its responsible sourcing policies and agree in writing to uphold Walmart’s seafood-specific standards via a product specification sheet of sorts. Walmart also has a supplier audit program that involves identifying and inspecting products upon receipt to ensure compliance with its commitments, and occasionally conducts DNA tests on its private label seafood products (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 20/04/2023).

0% Suppliers are not required to agree in writing to uphold the terms of the grocer’s commitment.

25% Some suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold some of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment.

50% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold some of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment.

75% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold all of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment on at least an annual basis.

100% All suppliers are required to agree in writing to uphold all of the terms of the grocer’s environmental sustainability commitment and the grocer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld on at least an annual basis.

3.4 Suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct to uphold the grocer's commitment to socially responsible seafood.

Walmart’s Auditing and Assessment Policy and Guidance states that suppliers are required to sign a vendor agreement which includes adherence to Walmart’s standards and responsible sourcing program, and are subject to audits following a risk-based approach. This means that low risk suppliers are not subject to regularly scheduled audits, but each year Walmart selects a sample of facilities to receive an audit. Medium-risk and high-risk suppliers are audited as dictated by the supplier’s chosen third party audit program. Facilities in countries that fall into medium and higher levels of risk are typically subject to regular audits, regardless of the outcome of earlier audits of the same facilities (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% Suppliers are not required to sign a code of conduct (or no information).

50% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the grocer’s social responsibility commitment on at least an annual basis.

100% All suppliers are required to sign a code of conduct that covers all of the grocer’s social responsibility commitment and the grocer actively verifies that this commitment is being upheld by suppliers of high risk products.

Step 4: Transparency

4 Transparency

Is the grocer transparent about its commitment to sustainable seafood?

4.1 The grocer labels products with the information that allows consumers to make informed decisions.

An instore audit conducted by SeaChoice on April 20, 2023 found that Walmart Canada labels some of its private label products as wild and a few with geographic origin and scientific name. No products were labelled as farmed or with the harvest method.

0% The grocer does not label products with the information (or no information available).

50% The grocer labels some products with the information.

75% The grocer labels most products with the information.

100% The grocer labels all products with the information.

4.2 The grocer follows best practice guidelines for making environmental claims on its products.

Walmart applies the MSC, ASC and BAP eco-labels to applicable products which includes a chain-of-custody identifier with publicly available evidence to back up its claim. Walmart also applies its “Sustainably Sourced” self-claim to some certified products and makes evidence to support the claim available through its ODP profile which is linked to on Walmart’s corporate website. However, the claim is not accompanied by an explanatory statement that refers to the certification (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 20/04/2023).

0% The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels and does not make evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available.

25% The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels and makes evidence to back up the claim(s) publicly available.

50% The grocer uses endorsement claims on product labels but does not make the evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available – – OR – – The grocer uses self-declared claims on product labels that adhere to ISO 14021 Type II guidance and makes evidence to back up the claim(s) publicly available.

75% The grocer uses certification claims as well as endorsement claims and/or self-declared claims that 1) adhere to ISO 14021 Type II guidance and proof of third-party verification on product labels and 2) makes evidence to back up its claim(s) publicly available.

100% The grocer only uses credible certification claims on product labels and includes a chain-of-custody identifier with publicly available evidence to back up its claim(s).

4.3 Key information regarding the grocer's products has been made publicly available.

Walmart discloses the geographic origin of all its wild and farmed products, the gear type of all its wild products, and the farming method of some of its farmed products through its 2021 Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) profile which it aims to update on an annual basis (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% No information has been made publicly available.

50% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type or farming method has been made publicly available for some products.

75% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type OR farming method has been made publicly available for all products.

100% Scientific name, geographic origin, gear type AND farming method has been made publicly available for all products.

4.4 The grocer reports how much of its seafood meets its sustainability criteria by volume or value of sales on an annual basis.

Walmart Canada has not reported on one overall percentage that was in line with its commitment since bringing canned tuna under its commitment.

0% No public information on how the grocer is doing to meet its commitment.

50% The grocer has at one point reported publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment.

100% The grocer regularly reports publicly how much of its seafood sold meets its commitment by volume or value of sales every year.

Step 5: Education

5 Education

Does the grocer educate key stakeholders about the importance of its seafood commitments?

5.1 Training programs are conducted for seafood staff.

Walmart Canada does not have ‘seafood counter staff’ in its stores because it doesn’t have seafood counters – rather it sells products prepackaged in freezers and coolers. Walmart does conduct training for staff responsible for seafood purchasing on a regular basis to ensure they are familiar with Walmart’s policy and progress against goals (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information available).

50% Training programs sometimes conducted or for only some seafood staff.

75% Training programs conducted for all seafood staff, but only once.

100% Training programs regularly conducted for all seafood staff.

5.2 There is a description of the grocer's seafood commitments in store.

Walmart currently does not have information on its commitment to sustainable and/or socially responsible seafood in its stores (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% There is no description of the grocer’s commitments in store.

25% There is some description of the grocer’s commitment to sustainability OR social responsibility in store.

50% There is some description of the grocer’s commitment to sustainability AND social responsibility in store.

75% There is a comprehensive description of the grocer’s commitments to sustainability OR social responsibility in store.

100% There is a comprehensive description of the grocer’s commitments to sustainability AND socially responsibility in store.

5.3 The grocer has taken actions to ensure its suppliers are aware of its sustainable seafood commitment.

Walmart shares its sustainable seafood commitment with its suppliers and requires quarterly updates regarding sourcing information from suppliers to ensure they are tracking toward Walmart’s sustainability commitment. Walmart also provides direct support to its vendors through training on its data reporting requirements and seafood sourcing standards (personal communication, Walmart Canada Manager, Sustainability, 08/02/2023).

0% The grocer has taken no actions OR no information is available.

25% The grocer sends its suppliers a copy of its sustainable seafood commitment.

50% The grocer shares its sustainable seafood commitment and any updates made to its commitment and sometimes engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet its expectations.

75% The grocer shares its sustainable seafood commitment and any updates made to its commitment and regularly engages with its suppliers to help ensure the products they supply meet its expectations.

100% The grocer shares its sustainable seafood commitment and any updates made to its commitment, has a clear strategy to engage with its suppliers and provides direct support (e.g. training, resources) to help ensure all seafood products are procured in line with its policies.

Step 6: Taking Initiative

6 Taking Initiative

Does the grocer take initiative to support improvements to fisheries and aquaculture?

6.1 Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

In partnership with its NGO partner, WWF, Walmart global is piloting an intervention program in Chile to improve small pelagics, which are an important source of feed ingredients for Chilean farmed salmon. Additionally, Walmart reported to SeaChoice that, as of today, it does not sell any GE or GM farmed salmon (personal communication, Walmart Canada, Sustainability Manager, 20/04/2023).

Only sells farmed salmon products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are produced in a closed containment facility, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for salmon farming management to be more environmentally sustainable (17 pts).

Promotes farmed salmon products from closed containment producers through marketing efforts and/or distinguishes these products from open-net pen products at points of sale (17 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve salmon farming practices and/or to support their transition from open-net systems to closed containment systems (17 pts).

Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Avoid by Seafood Watch (17 pts).

Preferentially procures farmed salmon from closed containment producers and/or sources that are Recommended by Ocean Wise or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (17 pts).

Does not sell genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified (GM) farmed salmon (17 pts).

6.2 Farmed shrimp and prawns (Multiple spp).

Walmart is committed to only selling minimum BAP 2 star certified farmed shrimp. Additionally, Walmart US continues to participate in the Seafood Task Force, which is an industry-led coalition focused on shrimp, tuna and other species. Finally, the company has full chain traceability in place to support its sustainability commitment (personal communication, Walmart Canada, Sustainability Manager, 20/04/2023).

Only sells farmed shrimp and prawn products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by ASC, BAP 2 star plus, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for shrimp and prawn farming management to be more environmentally sustainable (17 pts).

Collaborates with other companies pre-competitively to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices (17 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve shrimp and prawn farming practices (17 pts).

Refrains from advertising versions of this product that are not ASC or BAP 2 star plus certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Avoid by Seafood Watch

Preferentially procures shrimp and prawns from sources that are ASC or BAP 2 star plus certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch (17 pts).

Prioritizes sourcing from suppliers committed to full chain traceability and/or making social responsibility improvements (17 pts).

6.3 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)

In November 2022, Walmart Global signed on to a letter to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) advocating for the implementation of harvest control rules. Additionally, Walmart has a full chain traceability policy in place to support its sustainability commitment (personal communication, Walmart Canada, Sustainability Manager, 20/04/2023).

Only sells pole and line caught skipjack tuna products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are MSC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for skipjack fishing methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable (17 pts).

Collaborates with other companies pre-competitively to improve skipjack fishery management practices (17 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve skipjack fishing practices (17 pts).

Only advertises pole and line caught skipjack tuna products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are MSC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (17 pts).

Preferentially sources pole and line caught skipjack tuna products that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are MSC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (17 pts).

Prioritizes sourcing from suppliers committed to full chain traceability and/or making social responsibility improvements (17 pts).

6.4 Other species

Walmart preferentially sources MSC certified products, and has a full chain traceability policy to support its commitment to sustainable seafood (personal communication, Walmart Canada, Sustainability Manager, 20/04/2023).

Only sells versions of a certain species that meet the highest bars for sustainability, i.e. are certified by MSC/ASC, Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Best Choice by Seafood Watch (100 pts).

Conducts outreach to policymakers and/or certifying bodies to advocate for harvest or farming method and management to be more environmentally sustainable (17 pts).

Collaborates with other companies pre-competitively to improve fishing or aquaculture practices (17 pts).

Works with suppliers or producers directly to improve fishing or farming practices (17 pts).

Refrains from advertising versions of a certain species that are not MSC/ASC certified, Not Recommended by Ocean Wise and/or rated Avoid by Seafood Watch (17 pts).

Preferentially sources from more sustainable sources that are MSC/ASC certified, Recommended by Ocean Wise or Best Choice by Seafood Watch (17 pts).

Prioritizes sourcing from suppliers committed to full chain traceability and/or making social responsibility improvements (17 pts).

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