Emily Carter
Tuna is often colloquially referred to as the chicken of the sea, a phrase popularised by the brand Chicken of the Sea, which sells canned seafood products. The phrase was first used by fishermen in the early 1900s to refer to white albacore tuna, due to its mild flavour, light colour, and low cost, similar to chicken. The brand Chicken of the Sea adopted the phrase as an advertising slogan in the 1950s, and it eventually became the company name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Chicken of the Sea |
| Parent Company | Thai Union Group |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Founder | Gilbert Van Camp |
| Industry | Seafood |
| Products | Tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines |
| Packaging | Cans, pouches, and cups |
| Sister Brands | Genova and Ace of Diamonds |
| Headquarters | El Segundo, California |
| Annual Sales | US$600 million |
| Sustainability | Member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) |
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What You'll Learn
- The name 'Chicken of the Sea' comes from fishermen who called albacore tuna 'chicken' due to its white colour and mild flavour
- Chicken of the Sea is a brand name for a packager and provider of seafood
- The brand name was also chosen to reference the low cost of tuna compared to other seafood
- Chicken of the Sea is owned by the Thai Union Group, the world's largest tuna company
- The company has been criticised for its environmental and human rights record
The name 'Chicken of the Sea' comes from fishermen who called albacore tuna 'chicken' due to its white colour and mild flavour
The phrase "Chicken of the Sea" is often used to refer to tuna, specifically albacore tuna. The name is derived from fishermen who, in the early 1900s, would refer to albacore tuna as "chicken" due to its physical resemblance to chicken meat and its mild flavour. Albacore tuna has a light, delicate white meat that is less fishy in flavour compared to other species of tuna, resembling the colour and taste of cooked chicken. This naming practice is said to have started as an ongoing joke among fishermen.
Over time, the phrase "Chicken of the Sea" became popular and was adopted by a seafood company, Van Camp Seafood Company, which was founded in 1914. The company initially sold canned seafood but later rebranded in 1930, changing its name to Chicken of the Sea International and using the iconic phrase as its product branding. The brand became well-known for its tuna products, particularly albacore tuna, which was marketed as white tuna due to its unique colour and flavour.
Chicken of the Sea, as a brand, has had a significant impact on the seafood industry, with its products found on grocery store shelves across the United States. However, the brand has also faced criticism and scrutiny for its environmental and labour practices. Greenpeace has called out the brand and its parent company, Thai Union Group, for their involvement in human rights abuses, environmental destruction, and unsustainable fishing methods.
Despite the controversies, Chicken of the Sea remains a prominent name in the seafood industry, known for its tuna products and the catchy phrase that originated from fishermen's lighthearted comparison of albacore tuna to chicken.
It is worth noting that while the phrase "Chicken of the Sea" is commonly associated with tuna, it is primarily a branding strategy. The name was chosen to highlight the similarities between albacore tuna and chicken in terms of versatility, ease of preparation, and widespread availability, making it a familiar and appealing choice for consumers.
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Chicken of the Sea is a brand name for a packager and provider of seafood
The brand name "Chicken of the Sea" is said to have originated from fishermen's colloquial term for white albacore tuna, which has a mild flavour and light colour compared to other fish. The phrase was adopted as an advertising slogan in the 1950s and the company was rebranded with the moniker in 1930. The name is also said to reference the low cost of tuna compared to other seafood, just as chicken is inexpensive compared to other meats.
Chicken of the Sea offers a range of seafood products, including tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines, in cans, pouches, and cups. The company has a history of mergers and acquisitions, including with Tri-Marine International Inc. and Empress International, contributing to its growth and expansion.
In recent years, Chicken of the Sea and its parent company, Thai Union Group, have faced criticism and scrutiny for their environmental and labour practices. There have been reports of human rights abuses, unsustainable fishing methods, and the use of dirty fuel in shipping containers. As a result, there have been calls for the company to improve its supply chain practices and commit to offering sustainable and ethical products.
Despite the controversies, Chicken of the Sea remains a prominent brand in the seafood industry, known for its iconic mermaid mascot and its presence on grocery store shelves.
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The brand name was also chosen to reference the low cost of tuna compared to other seafood
Tuna is sometimes referred to as "chicken of the sea", a phrase that has become synonymous with the brand Chicken of the Sea, a packager and provider of seafood owned by the Thai Union Group. The brand name "Chicken of the Sea" was chosen as a reference to the low cost of tuna compared to other seafood, much like how chicken is inexpensive compared to other meats.
The phrase "chicken of the sea" was first used by fishermen in the early 1900s to describe white albacore tuna, which has a milder, less fishy flavour and a lighter colour than other types of fish. The phrase was adopted as an advertising slogan by the Van Camp Seafood Company in the 1950s and the company was subsequently renamed Chicken of the Sea International. The brand has since become one of the largest tuna brands in the US.
Chicken of the Sea offers a variety of seafood products, including tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines. The brand is known for its iconic mermaid mascot, which debuted in 1952 and was modelled after Grace Lee Whitney, who played Yeoman Janice Rand on Star Trek: The Original Series.
Despite its success, Chicken of the Sea has faced criticism from Greenpeace and other organizations for its labour and environmental practices. The company has been accused of human rights abuses, environmental abuses, and offering no sustainable or ethical products to consumers. As a result, there have been calls for the brand to improve its supply chain practices and commit to offering sustainable and ethical tuna.
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Chicken of the Sea is owned by the Thai Union Group, the world's largest tuna company
Tuna is commonly referred to as the "chicken of the sea". While the phrase may have originated from fishermen in the early 1900s, it was popularised by Chicken of the Sea, a seafood packaging and provider company. The company was founded in 1914 when Gilbert Van Camp, the son of Frank Van Camp, moved to San Pedro, Los Angeles, and purchased the California Tuna Canning Company. They renamed the company the Van Camp Seafood Company and adopted "Chicken of the Sea" as their advertising slogan in the 1950s. The phrase was so successful that it soon became the company name.
In 2000, Chicken of the Sea was sold to Thai Union International, Inc., leaving Thai Union as the sole owner of the company. Thai Union Group, based in Samut Sakhon, Thailand, is the world's largest tuna company. It is also one of the largest tuna brands in the US. In 2003, Chicken of the Sea acquired Empress International, an importer of frozen shrimp and other shellfish, which increased the company's total annual sales to US$600 million.
Chicken of the Sea has been criticised for its lack of sustainable and ethical practices. The company has been called out by Greenpeace for its involvement in environmental and labour abuse in its supply chains. Despite being an industry pioneer in dolphin-safe fishing practices, the company does not offer any sustainable and ethical products to US consumers. As a result, Greenpeace has launched a global campaign demanding that Thai Union Group and Chicken of the Sea address these issues.
Thai Union Group has the power to drive much-needed change in the global tuna industry. With its size, reach, and purchasing power, the company has a huge responsibility to ensure that its products meet the standards it claims to support.
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The company has been criticised for its environmental and human rights record
Tuna is often colloquially referred to as the "chicken of the sea". While there are various theories as to how this came to be, one of the most popular attributions is to fishermen in the early 1900s, who are said to have used this nickname for albacore tuna, on account of its white colour and mild flavour, reminiscent of chicken. This nickname was eventually adopted by the Van Camp Seafood Company, which changed its name to Chicken of the Sea International.
Chicken of the Sea, one of the largest tuna brands in the US, has been criticised for its environmental and human rights record. Greenpeace has called out the company and its parent company, Thai Union Group, for their role in environmental destruction and human rights abuses.
Environmental Concerns
Thai Union Group has been linked to unsustainable fishing practices that endanger marine life and contribute to ocean pollution. Greenpeace has highlighted the issue of single-use plastic entering ocean food chains and ending up in seafood consumed by people. The organisation has also criticised the company's use of fishing methods that harm marine life and its storage of tuna in shipping containers alongside dirty fuel.
Human Rights Abuses
Greenpeace has reported on the exploitation of fishermen, with workers alleging abuse and forced labour on ships. The organisation has called for an end to labour abuse and for the company to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for its employees.
Chicken of the Sea has responded to these criticisms by highlighting its sustainability initiatives, such as its SeaChange® plan, which aims to address environmental and social issues. The company has also stated that it is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, and well-being of its workers and ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions.
In addition to these criticisms, Chicken of the Sea has faced legal issues, including a lawsuit in 2015 accusing the company of colluding to fix prices. The company has also had to recall products due to equipment malfunctions and has been called out for its lack of sustainable and ethical products.
While Chicken of the Sea defends its practices and initiatives, organisations like Greenpeace continue to push for greater accountability and immediate change to protect the environment, workers, and consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Tuna is called the chicken of the sea.
In the early 1900s, fishermen used to refer to white albacore tuna as "chicken of the sea" because its white flesh and mild flavour reminded them of chicken.
Yes, Chicken of the Sea is a brand of canned tuna. The brand was founded in 1914 as Van Camp Seafood Company and adopted the advertising slogan "Chicken of the Sea" in the 1950s.
In addition to tuna, the brand sells salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines.
Chicken of the Sea has been criticised by Greenpeace for its environmental and labour practices. The brand has been accused of not offering any sustainable and ethical products to US consumers, and its parent company, Thai Union Group, has been linked to human rights and environmental abuses.
