Survey: One in three fear their favourite fish will be off the menu by 2040

LONDON, 8-Jun-2020 — /EPR FOOD & BEVERAGE NEWS/ — High levels of concern for our oceans are driving a new wave of consumer activism, research for the Marine Stewardship Council reveals, as consumers increasingly ‘vote with their forks’ to safeguard our oceans.

The largest survey of its kind involving more than 20,000 people across 23 countries, conducted by independent insights consultancy, GlobeScan, reveals that 6 in 10 seafood shoppers (58%) already made changes to the way they choose and buy seafood in the last year in order to protect fish in our oceans.

Consumer activism includes switching to brands or products that say they help protect the oceans or fish (23%), buying different seafood species (17%) and changing where they buy seafood (15%). Eight in 10 seafood consumers (83%) are prepared to take further action in the future to safeguard our oceans.

That action is being fuelled by the worry held by nearly 1 in 3 people globally (31%) that their favourite fish won’t be available to eat in 20 years’ time. A higher proportion of 18 to 24-year-olds (37%) fear their favourite fish will be off the menu by 2040 than the over 55s (27%). Young people and parents are also more likely to have taken action in the last year1 and be willing to take action in the future to protect fish and seafood2.

For plenty more fish to be left in the sea, two thirds (65%) of seafood lovers say buying fish and seafood from sustainable sources is vital, and two fifths (41%) say they notice ecolabelled products when shopping.

Oceans contain up to 80 percent of life on earth3, with seafood providing an important source of protein to more than 3 billion people across the world4. However, a third of fisheries around the world have been fished beyond sustainable limits, and a further 60% are fished to their maximum capacity5.

This World Oceans Day (8th June), the independent, not-for-profit Marine Stewardship Council is launching a new global campaign Little Blue Label, Big Blue Future. The aim is to encourage more consumers to switch to seafood certified to its rigorous ‘blue label’ standard.

Rupert Howes, Chief Executive at the Marine Stewardship Council said: “With overfishing, climate change and pollution putting increasing pressure on our oceans, the choices we make as consumers have never been more important. This survey shows people really do care where their seafood comes from and how it is sourced.

“At a time when the seafood industry is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we can all play a part in supporting fishers committed to sustainable practises, helping to protect marine ecosystems and safeguarding our seafood supplies for future generations. Choose certified sustainable seafood by looking out for the blue MSC label.”

SOURCE: EuropaWire

MAXINE’S HEAVENLY EXPANDS PRESENCE IN CONVENTIONAL MARKETS WITH RALPH’S AND LUCKY/SAVEMART

Sugar conscious cookie brand expands its presence in California

Los Angeles, CA, 2020-Jun-2 — /EPR FOOD & BEVERAGE NEWS/ — Maxine’s Heavenly, a Los Angeles-based company that makes decadent but better-for-you cookies for the sugar conscious consumer, added Ralph’s By Kroger and Lucky/Save Mart to the rapidly growing list of stores that carry their brand.

With the addition of these key regional retailers, Maxine’s Heavenly continues its deeper dive into the California markets. Maxine’s Heavenly cookies can be found in 115 Ralph’s locations across Southern California and over 100 Lucky/Save Mart locations (Gluten Free modular) in Northern California.

“We’ve always known the Maxine’s Heavenly brand had great potential beyond the natural and specialty stores with which we built our foundation. Ralph’s and Lucky/Save Mart are perfect
retail partners to extend our availability to conventional retailers on our quest to make our so-much-better-for-you products more widely available to all consumers,” said Robert Petrarca,
CEO of Maxine’s Heavenly. “We know that a vast majority of American consumers are looking for sugar conscious treats that taste outstanding and we’re glad these partnerships help us to
reach more and more of them.”

Consumers can find locations for these and other retailers using the store locator on the Maxine’s Heavenly website: https://maxinesheavenly.com/pages/store-locator.

About Maxine’s Heavenly
Maxine’s Heavenly homemade style, soft-baked cookies are mom’s
treats, made for today. They are half the sugar, sweetened naturally with coconut sugar and dates, and the first ingredient is oats. Made for more to enjoy, Maxine’s Heavenly cookies are certified gluten-free, vegan, kosher, and non-GMO. Maxine’s Heavenly was voted Best Snack of 2018 in Health Magazine. Learn more at maxinesheavenly.com.

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Media contact:

Rachel B. Carmichael
Maxine’s Heavenly
424-261-7625
rachel@maxinesheavenly.com