Farmed Responsibly ASC Certified: Seafood
ASC is an independent organization which certifies environmental and social wellbeing in farmed seafood. Their standards are keeping with the guidelines set forth by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the ISEAL Appliance Code of Good Practice. They have strong worker welfare standards and strong traceability requirements, but some reports have shown the audits can be unreliable overseas.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint Label Criteria
Wild or Farmed
Farmed
Wild
Animal Feed Quality
Prohibits direct use of pest controls in feed
Prohibits genetically modified feed
Prohibits animal byproduct in feed
Optimizes fish in/fish out ratio
If used, fish meal certified sustainable
Prohibits synthetic coloring agents
Drug Use
Antibiotics prohibited*
Prohibits hormones and other drugs*
Prohibits synthetic chemicals (pesticides, parasiticides and fungicides)**
*Prophylactic use of drugs prohibited. Treatment for disease allowed.
**Some limitations exist for certain contaminants.
Environmental Health and Food Safety
Prohibits open net pens*
Requires pathogen testing*
Requires contaminant testing (PCBs, mercury)
*Some testing for disease-causing organisms required
Fish and Ecosystem Welfare
Ensures optimal stocking densities
Prohibits purse seine nets (NA)
Restricts incidental bycatch (NA)
Minimizes disruption to ecosystem*
*Allows for ocean farming but has many restrictions
Traceability
Tracking system in place for chain of custody
Tracking system in place for origin
Worker Welfare
Prohibits forced labor and human trafficking
Prohibits child labor
Fair/living wages ensured
Health protections