Amazon Faces Lawsuit Over Seafood Sustainability Claims

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Amazon, alleging that several seafood brands on its platform make false sustainability claims. The lawsuit claims that products bearing Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification are not always sustainable, despite packaging and point-of-sale webpage statements to the contrary.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on July 31, targets brands such as 365 by Whole Foods Market, Bumble Bee, Starkist, Chicken of the Sea, Fishwife, and others. It alleges that these brands use claims like 'dolphin safe,' 'sustainable,' 'responsibly sourced,' and 'traceable' without disclosing the limitations of MSC certification.

According to the lawsuit, not all MSC-certified fisheries practice sustainable fishing methods, as some engage in large amounts of bycatch, use dredging and bottom-trawl fishing, and fish aggregating devices. Amazon's marketing of its seafood products is accused of being 'consumer deception, hook, line, and sinker,' according to Hagens Berman Managing Partner Steve Berman.

The lawsuit also targets the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), calling it a 'pay-for-play' certification scheme and a 'sham.' It claims that fisheries bribe auditors to obtain MSC certification, which is seen as a meaningless label. The complaint seeks injunctive relief and repayment for consumers who would not have purchased the affected seafood products had they known about their alleged lack of sustainability.