The NGOs BLOOM and foodwatch have taken Carrefour to court, accusing the supermarket giant of failing to prevent destructive tuna fishing, mercury contamination and human rights abuses in its supply chain.
This lawsuit follows two years of what the NGOs call ”fruitless dialogue” surrounding concerns over seafood sustainability and consumer health.
“Despite its legal obligation of vigilance, Carrefour does not prohibit destructive fishing methods in its tuna supplies, has not adopted a maximum mercury limit sufficient to protect consumer health and is unable to demonstrate that the canned food it sells is free from human rights abuses,” the NGOs have stated.
Damaging report
BLOOM’s report ’Drowning the Catch’, states Carrefour’s use of ”seven avoidance strategies” that allow the company to present itself as a responsible retailer while failing to implement meaningful change.
The NGOs argue that the company’s sourcing policies endanger both consumers and the environment.
This is because tuna is widely contaminated with mercury, a toxic heavy metal that poses serious health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.
Meanwhile, the NGOs add that tuna fishing remains one of the world’s most exploitative industries, with widespread reports of forced labour and overfishing.
For BLOOM and foodwatch, “These are serious failings. Carrefour must act and we are calling on the courts to force it to do so.”
On Monday 17 March, a formal notice was served on Carrefour by BLOOM, added to the one it previously served in November 2023. The retailer was also served with another notice by foodwatch in April 2024.
