Jake Harper
Chicken of the Sea is a brand name for a packager and provider of seafood, owned by the Thai Union Group in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. The brand is attached to various seafood products, including tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines, which are sold in cans, pouches, and cups. The company was founded in the United States when Gilbert Van Camp, the son of Frank Van Camp, moved to San Pedro, Los Angeles, in 1914 and purchased the California Tuna Canning Company, renaming it the Van Camp Sea Food Company. The brand name Chicken of the Sea was adopted in the 1950s, inspired by fishermen's nickname for albacore tuna, which has white flesh and a mild flavor reminiscent of chicken. Today, Chicken of the Sea offers a range of canned tuna products, including Chunk Light Tuna in Water, which is wild-caught, high in protein, and low in fat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Chicken of the Sea |
| Brand Owner | Thai Union Group |
| Brand Headquarters | El Segundo, California |
| Tuna Type | Albacore |
| Tuna Color | White |
| Flavor | Mild |
| Texture | Pleasing |
| Fat Content | Low |
| Omega-3 | High |
| Protein | High |
| Package Dimensions | 15.79 x 12.56 x 3.11 inches |
| Package Weight | 3 ounces |
| Package Count | 24 cans |
| Dolphin Safe | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Chicken of the Sea is a brand name for canned tuna
- The name comes from fishermen who called albacore tuna chicken of the sea due to its white colour and mild flavour
- The company was founded in 1914 when Gilbert Van Camp purchased the California Tuna Canning Company
- Chicken of the Sea is owned by the Thai Union Group
- Greenpeace has called for Chicken of the Sea to improve sustainability and human rights in its supply chain
Chicken of the Sea is a brand name for canned tuna
The company that became Chicken of the Sea was founded in the United States when Gilbert Van Camp, the son of Frank Van Camp, moved to San Pedro, Los Angeles, in 1914. He purchased the California Tuna Canning Company and renamed it the Van Camp Sea Food Company. In the 1950s, the company introduced an advertising slogan and mascot, Catalina, a blonde mermaid with a golden scepter. The brand gained popularity, and the company name was changed to Chicken of the Sea International in the 1980s.
Chicken of the Sea offers a range of seafood products, including canned tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines. The brand has a presence in various countries and has expanded its product line to include frozen foods and premium-quality fresh and frozen seafood. The company has also faced some challenges, such as recalling undercooked tuna cans in 2016 and facing pressure from organisations like Greenpeace to improve sustainability and ethical practices in their supply chain.
Chicken of the Sea has a strong market presence, with products available on Amazon and in grocery stores. The brand is known for its easy-open cans, convenient packaging, and competitive pricing. The company also complies with the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act (DPCIA) and features the "Dolphin Safe" logo on its packaging to assure customers that no dolphins were harmed during the fishing process.
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The name comes from fishermen who called albacore tuna chicken of the sea due to its white colour and mild flavour
The name "Chicken of the Sea" is a reference to albacore tuna, which fishermen dubbed "chicken of the sea" due to its white colour and mild flavour, resembling that of chicken. This phrase inspired the company's name, although it was not branded as Chicken of the Sea until 1930, over 15 years after its founding as Van Camp Seafood. The company founder thought "Chicken of the Sea" would be a unique and appealing name for a brand of tuna.
The phrase "Chicken of the Sea" was initially used by fishermen as a joke to describe albacore tuna, the only species of tuna that can be labelled as "white". The white colour of its flesh and its mild, less fishy flavour reminded them of chicken. This analogy is further supported by the fact that tuna is often found in restaurants that do not serve other types of seafood, just as chicken is a widely consumed bird.
In addition to its taste and appearance, the name "Chicken of the Sea" may also have been chosen for its marketing appeal. The texture of canned tuna is similar to canned chicken, and the name may have helped to promote the product as an appealing and affordable option, just as chicken is often a less expensive meat option. The company introduced an advertising mascot, Catalina, a blonde mermaid with a golden sceptre, in the 1950s, further enhancing the brand's recognition and popularity.
Today, Chicken of the Sea is a well-known brand of packaged seafood, offering a range of products, including canned tuna, that are sold in various pack sizes and formats, such as easy-open cans, to cater to different consumer needs. The brand is committed to ocean sustainability and complies with the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, ensuring that no dolphins are harmed during the fishing process.
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The company was founded in 1914 when Gilbert Van Camp purchased the California Tuna Canning Company
The story of Chicken of the Sea began in 1914, when Gilbert Van Camp, son of Frank Van Camp, moved to San Pedro, Los Angeles, following the death of his mother, Clarissa. There, Gilbert and his father purchased the California Tuna Canning Company, renaming it the Van Camp Seafood Company. Within a decade, the company grew to become the world's largest seafood packing plant, with 50 fishing boats under its control.
In the early 1900s, tuna fishermen would joke that albacore tuna was "the chicken of the sea" due to its mild flavour and light colour, resembling chicken. This phrase was adopted as an advertising slogan by the Van Camp Seafood Company in the 1950s, alongside a blonde mermaid mascot, Catalina, who became a familiar icon. The slogan was so successful that it eventually became the company name in 1972, after a series of ownership changes.
The company's early years laid the foundation for its future success. By 1930, the first Chicken of the Sea-branded products hit store shelves, and the company expanded its fishing fleet and canning operations. The iconic name and effective marketing helped establish Chicken of the Sea as a leading brand in the seafood industry, particularly known for its tuna products.
Over time, the company underwent several ownership changes. In 1963, the Van Camp Seafood Company was sold to Ralston Purina, and in 1988, it was acquired by an Indonesian corporation, PT Mantrust. Despite these transitions, the Chicken of the Sea brand endured and thrived. By 2000, Thai Union International, Inc. became the sole owner of the company, strengthening its position in the market.
Today, Chicken of the Sea has diversified its product offerings beyond canned tuna, specialising in various high-quality fish and shellfish products. The company remains committed to providing safe, nutritious, and delicious seafood options for consumers worldwide, solidifying its reputation as one of the leading canned seafood companies.
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Chicken of the Sea is owned by the Thai Union Group
Chicken of the Sea is a packager and provider of seafood, owned by the Thai Union Group in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. The brand is attached to a variety of seafood products, including tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines, which are sold in cans, pouches, and cups. The company was founded in the United States in 1914 when Gilbert Van Camp purchased the California Tuna Canning Company and renamed it the Van Camp Sea Food Company. The advertising slogan "Chicken of the Sea" was adopted in the 1950s, and the company became known as Chicken of the Sea International in 1997.
Thai Union Group, the parent company of Chicken of the Sea, is a global food products company ranked #1 on the 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Thai Union has been a leader in the seafood industry for over 40 years and is committed to social, environmental, and economic responsibility. The company's brand portfolio includes well-known brands such as Sealect, Fisho, Marvo, and Bellotta in Thailand, as well as European brands like John West and King Oscar.
In 2006, Thai Union formed the Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods division to focus on sales of premium-quality fresh and frozen seafood products. This division contributed to enhanced brand awareness and distribution for Chicken of the Sea in the food service and retail industries. Thai Union's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is evident through its partnerships with organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and Feeding America.
The unique name "Chicken of the Sea" for the company's tuna products has an interesting history. It is said that in the early 1900s, fishermen referred to albacore tuna as "chicken of the sea" due to its white flesh and mild flavor, which reminded them of chicken. The company founder thought this name would be unique and memorable for a brand of tuna, and it has certainly contributed to the brand's success and recognition.
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Greenpeace has called for Chicken of the Sea to improve sustainability and human rights in its supply chain
Greenpeace has called on Chicken of the Sea, the world's largest canned tuna company, to improve sustainability and human rights in its supply chain. Thai Union Group (TUG), the parent company of Chicken of the Sea, has been linked to environmentally destructive fishing methods, human rights abuses, and forced labour. Greenpeace demands that Chicken of the Sea eliminate these destructive fishing practices and labour abuses from its supply chains.
In response to these allegations, Chicken of the Sea has introduced SeaChange®, a sustainability plan that aims to support a better future for both people and the planet. The company claims to be advancing a healthier world through initiatives that deliver critical resources to those in need. They also mention their efforts to restore and preserve ocean, land, plant, and animal resources to protect natural ecosystems. However, Greenpeace claims that Chicken of the Sea does not offer any sustainable and ethical products to US consumers and that its parent company, TUG, has been repeatedly linked to human rights and environmental abuses globally.
Greenpeace's specific demands include calling on Chicken of the Sea to adopt lower-impact fishing methods and guarantee oversight and traceability at sea. They also urge the company to increase transparency and provide a work plan and schedule to improve its fishing practices. Greenpeace has contacted TUG directly and sent an investor brief to shareholders, outlining the risks associated with the company's current fishing methods and suppliers, which include serious environmental and reputational risks.
Chicken of the Sea has responded to Greenpeace's campaign by stating that they are committed to offering sustainable and ethical tuna to their customers. They claim to be working towards stricter standards for sustainability and human rights and have published a sustainability report that tracks and publicly reports on their environmental and social impacts. The company has also highlighted their ranking in the top 1% of the world's most sustainable food companies in the S&P Global Assessment for 2024.
Greenpeace's campaign against Chicken of the Sea and its parent company, TUG, aims to bring about change in the seafood industry by addressing environmental and labour abuses in the supply chain. The organisation believes that it is crucial for Chicken of the Sea, as the largest brand, to step up as a leader in sustainability and human rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken of the Sea is a packager and provider of seafood, owned by the Thai Union Group in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. The brand is attached to tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines in cans, pouches, and cups.
In the early 1900s, fishermen referred to white albacore tuna as "chicken of the sea" because the colour of its flesh and its mild flavour reminded them of chicken. The phrase inspired the company name when it was branded as Chicken of the Sea in 1930.
Chicken of the Sea's official explanation is that in the "old days", fishermen referred to white albacore tuna as "chicken of the sea" because of its white colour and mild flavour, which reminded them of chicken.
Chicken of the Sea packages prime skipjack and yellowfin tuna. They also sell albacore tuna, the only species of tuna that can be labelled as "white".
Chicken of the Sea is now proud to offer MSC-certified products, which are the next step in their deep commitment to ocean sustainability. They also comply with the United States Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, which requires fishing vessel captains to certify that no dolphins were harmed while catching the tuna they obtain.
