Emily Carter
Chicken of the Sea is a seafood packaging and processing company owned by the Thai Union Group, which is headquartered in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. The company was founded in the United States in the early 1900s when Gilbert Van Camp purchased the California Tuna Canning Company and renamed it the Van Camp Sea Food Company. The brand name Chicken of the Sea was inspired by a term used by fishermen to describe white albacore tuna, which has a mild flavour and light colour similar to chicken. Chicken of the Sea offers a range of seafood products, including tuna, salmon, crab, and shrimp, and has a strong presence in the canned tuna market, particularly in the United States. The company sources its seafood from various ecosystems around the world, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and participates in sustainability initiatives to ensure responsible sourcing and fishing practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owner | Thai Union Group |
| Headquarters | El Segundo, California |
| Year founded | 1914 |
| Location founded | San Pedro, Los Angeles |
| Year purchased by Thai Union Group | 2000 |
| Year headquarters moved to El Segundo | 2018 |
| Sustainability initiatives | SeaChange, SeaChange®2030 initiative |
| Sustainability partners | Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), The Nature Conservancy |
| Dolphin-safe fishing practices | Yes |
| Mercury content | Within FDA guidelines |
| Traceability | Consumers can trace their product to the fishing boat |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken of the Sea is owned by Thai Union Group
Chicken of the Sea is a packager and provider of seafood, owned by the Thai Union Group. The company was founded in the United States in 1914 when Gilbert Van Camp moved to San Pedro, Los Angeles, and purchased the California Tuna Canning Company, changing the name to the Van Camp Sea Food Company. They adopted the advertising slogan "Chicken of the Sea" in the 1950s, which was so successful that it also became the company name. In 1963, the Van Camp Seafood Company was purchased by Ralston Purina. In 1988, Ralston sold its Van Camp division to an Indonesian corporation, PT Mantrust, which faced financial troubles.
In 2000, Tri-Marine International Inc. and Edmund A. Gann sold their 50% interest in Chicken of the Sea to Thai Union International, Inc., making Thai Union the sole owner of the company. Chicken of the Sea International and Tri-Union International LLC then merged into one company, still called Chicken of the Sea International.
Chicken of the Sea is one of the largest tuna brands in the United States, with its products found in cans, pouches, and cups. The brand is associated with various seafood items, including tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines. The company has made sustainability commitments, such as participating in Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to meet Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards for sustainable fishing and investing $90 million in these projects. They also claim to follow Dolphin-Safe fishing practices and are co-founding members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).
However, Greenpeace has criticized Chicken of the Sea and its parent company, Thai Union Group, for their environmental and human rights records. They have called for the companies to address labor abuse and environmental degradation in their supply chains. Despite these criticisms, Chicken of the Sea continues to be a prominent brand in the seafood industry, offering a range of products to consumers.
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The company was founded in the US in 1914
Chicken of the Sea is a seafood packaging and provider company, currently owned by the Thai Union Group in Samut Sakhon, Thailand. The company was founded in the United States in 1914 when Frank Van Camp's son, Gilbert Van Camp, moved to San Pedro, Los Angeles, and purchased the California Tuna Canning Company. He renamed it the Van Camp Sea Food Company, and in the 1950s, the company adopted the advertising slogan "Chicken of the Sea", which soon became the company name.
The phrase "Chicken of the Sea" was originally used by fishermen to describe white albacore tuna, owing to its white flesh and mild flavour, reminiscent of chicken. The company founder capitalised on this unique name for their brand of tuna. The brand has been an American favourite for over a century, with its iconic mermaid mascot, Catalina, introduced in the 1950s.
In 1963, the Van Camp Seafood Company was acquired by Ralston Purina, and in 1988, it was sold to an Indonesian corporation, PT Mantrust. The company has since changed hands several times, with Tri-Marine International Inc. and Edmund A. Gann selling their 50% interest to Thai Union International Inc. in 2000, making Thai Union the sole owner. The company has expanded its business through acquisitions and the formation of new divisions, such as Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, to focus on premium fresh and frozen seafood sales.
Chicken of the Sea offers a range of seafood products, including tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp, and more. The company has faced criticism from Greenpeace for its environmental and labour practices, with calls for more sustainable and ethical sourcing. They have committed $90 million to Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to meet sustainability standards and are co-founding members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). The company prides itself on its strict sourcing standards and sustainability initiatives, such as the SeaChange program, to drive positive transformation in the global seafood industry.
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Fishermen called albacore tuna chicken of the sea
Tuna is called the "chicken of the sea" because of its resemblance to chicken. In the early 1900s, a fisherman spotted a school of albacore tuna swimming in the water and yelled, "Chicken of the sea!" because of the tuna's delicate white meat. The phrase inspired the company Chicken of the Sea, which adopted the advertising slogan in the 1950s. Albacore tuna is the only species of tuna that can be labelled as "white", and its meat has a milder, less fishy flavour that is comparable to chicken.
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 various seafood products, including tuna, salmon, clams, crab, shrimp, mackerel, oysters, kippers, and sardines. 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, changing its name to the Van Camp Sea Food Company.
Chicken of the Sea offers a variety of tuna options, including Tonggol, which is white to light pink in colour with a tender texture and light flavour, and Yellowfin, which has a firmer texture and milder flavour compared to Skipjack. The company sources its seafood from various ecosystems around the world, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and is committed to sustainability and ethical practices. They have invested $90 million in Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) to meet Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards for sustainable fishing and are co-founding members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).
In terms of processing, Chicken of the Sea follows strict quality standards and works with independent auditors to ensure compliance with regulations. The fish are brought out of cold storage, thawed, hand-filleted, and baked to remove inedible parts. The tuna is then cleaned, packed into cans, and shipped to grocery stores.
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The company has been criticised for human rights abuses
Chicken of the Sea, one of the largest tuna brands in the US, has been criticised for human rights abuses and environmental destruction. Greenpeace has called out the company for its record of human rights abuses, with workers reporting beatings, abuse, and being forced to work on ships for months or years. The company has also been accused of turning a blind eye to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is linked to human rights abuses at sea.
Chicken of the Sea is owned by the Thai Union Group, the world's largest canned tuna company. The company was founded in the United States when Gilbert Van Camp purchased the California Tuna Canning Company in 1914. Over the years, the company changed hands several times before being acquired by Thai Union International, Inc. in 2000, becoming a part of the Thai Union Group.
Greenpeace has launched a global campaign demanding that Chicken of the Sea and Thai Union Group address environmental and labor abuses in their supply chains. The campaign aims to inform consumers about the true nature of the company's practices and push for change. Greenpeace has highlighted that the company does not offer any sustainable and ethical products to US consumers and that its parent company, Thai Union Group, has been implicated in human rights and environmental abuses worldwide.
Chicken of the Sea has responded to these criticisms by committing to supply chain transparency and ethical procurement. They have implemented a Supplier Code of Conduct and a Supplier Code of Ethics, which outline expectations and requirements for suppliers regarding labor standards, human rights, and compliance with laws on slavery and human trafficking. The company also conducts audits and evaluations of its suppliers, focusing on labor and human rights practices, and has developed a Performance Improvement Program to support suppliers in achieving full compliance.
While Chicken of the Sea has taken steps to address these issues, Greenpeace and other critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure the protection of workers' rights and the sustainability of the oceans. The company's large reach and influence in the industry mean that it has a significant responsibility to drive change and set stricter standards for sustainability and human rights.
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Chicken of the Sea is committed to sustainability
Chicken of the Sea, one of the largest tuna brands in the US, has been committed to sustainability and ethical practices in its operations. The company, owned by the Thai Union Group, has implemented several initiatives and standards to ensure the sustainability of its seafood products, including tuna.
Chicken of the Sea has introduced the SeaChange®2030 initiative, a sustainability strategy led by its parent company, Thai Union. This initiative aims to transform the seafood industry and foster a more sustainable future. The company has committed $90 million towards establishing and operating Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) worldwide to meet Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards for sustainable fishing. They have also implemented responsible sourcing strategies to minimize waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address climate change.
In addition to their sustainability efforts, Chicken of the Sea prioritizes the welfare of their workers. They work to ensure fair wages, benefits, and safe and healthy working conditions for their tuna fishing operators, both at sea and on land. The company also claims to follow all applicable regulations and maintain strict quality standards. Regular audits are conducted by independent auditors to focus on quality, compliance, health, safety, environmental responsibility, labor practices, and human rights.
Chicken of the Sea has also demonstrated a commitment to marine life protection and ethical fishing practices. They are co-founding members of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and partners of The Nature Conservancy, organizations that lead in tuna-specific scientific research, management, advocacy, and innovation. Additionally, they initiated "The Mermaid Cares: Dolphin-Safe Policy" in 1990, ensuring that all their seafood is dolphin-safe.
Despite these efforts, Chicken of the Sea and its parent company, Thai Union Group, have faced criticism from organizations like Greenpeace. They have been accused of environmental and labor abuses, with Greenpeace calling for immediate changes to their supply chains to protect oceans and workers.
Chicken of the Sea continues to emphasize its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. Their initiatives and partnerships aim to drive positive change in the seafood industry, ensuring the protection of marine life, worker welfare, and a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken of the Sea sources tuna from all over the world, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
Chicken of the Sea is owned by Thai Union Group, based in Samut Sakhon, Thailand.
In the early 1900s, fishermen used to refer to white albacore tuna as "chicken of the sea" because its white meat and mild flavour reminded them of chicken. The founder of the company thought this would be a unique name for a brand of tuna.
Chicken of the Sea has a sustainability strategy led by Thai Union called the SeaChange®2030 initiative, which is dedicated to transforming the seafood industry and fostering a more sustainable future. Chicken of the Sea is also a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF).
Chicken of the Sea has been accused by Greenpeace of serious human rights and environmental abuses. In response, the company has stated that it follows all applicable regulations and its own strict quality standards, and that it works regularly with independent auditors.
