Fresh Seafood Trends: Raley’s Adopts BAP Certification

West Sacramento, Calif.-based Raley’s is among the latest supermarket chains to join the growing list of companies that have adopted the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s (GAA) Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification for farmed seafood.

All raw and cooked shrimp sold at its Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Markets and Food Source stores will now be sourced from BAP-certified facilities. Raley’s is also working on broadening its selection of seafood products that carry the Best Aquaculture Practices mark.

“At Raley’s, we feel very strongly that we have an important responsibility to be exceptionally good stewards of our earth and to be good partners with our governmental agencies charged with the oversight of the environment,” said Bill Coyne, Raley’s president and CEO, on the company’s Web site.

As one of the first U.S. grocers to establish a comprehensive program of store-wide food safety and sanitation practices, Peter Redmond, VP of BAP development for the St. Louis-based aquaculture seafood standards-setting organization, said the move is a logical next step. “Raley’s is a strong regional retailer known for fine seafood,” noted Redmond, adding that grocer’s continuing interest in supporting sustainable aquaculture is reflected by its advocacy of BAP certification for its seafood suppliers.

The Global Aquaculture Alliance develops the Best Aquaculture Practices standards in conjunction with species-specific technical committees under the direction of a Standards Oversight Committee. Over 1.3 billion pounds of shrimp, tilapia and catfish are processed in accordance with BAP standards annually.

For additional information on the BAP program, contact Redmond at [email protected] or visit www.gaalliance.org/bap/.