Whole Foods Unveils New Tuna Sourcing Policies

Whole Foods Market Inc. unveiled new sourcing guidelines for both canned tuna and tuna in the prepared foods department. Canned tuna must come from fisheries that use pole-and-line, trolling (the use of multiple fishing lines), and handline methods, which catch fish one-by-one and creates more jobs in fishing communities, according to Whole Foods. Suppliers must also use Trace Register, software that tracks tuna from "vessel to can" to monitor for unauthorized fishing. The grocer already had a rule that fresh and frozen seafood must meet sustainability standards for groups like the Marine Stewardship Council. Whole Foods shares down nearly 13% for the past year while the S&P 500 index is up 17.6% for the period.