Premium canned seafood specialist Season Brand renews Friend of the Sea certification

R.A.B. Food Group’s Season Brand has had its Friend of the Sea certification renewed, the Milan, Italy-based certifier announced on 17 May.

The brand, which features premium canned sardines, mackerel, and anchovies, has proven its “enduring commitment to sustainable practices in the production of its seafood products,” Friend of the Sea said. Products under the Season Brand umbrella will be able to continue displaying the Friend of the Sea label moving forward, a press release affirmed.

“Sustainability anchors our brand. Therefore, partnering with Friend of the Sea is a choice consistent with our philosophy. Moreover, the excellent reputation that Friend of the Sea holds in the industry assures our retail partners and consumers that we are committed to sustainability and focused on delivering environmentally safe products,” a Season Brand spokesperson said.

The re-certification comes as the brand celebrates 100 years of history, Friend of the Sea Founder and Director Paolo Bray noted.

“We’re thrilled to continue partnering with the Season Brand family in its 100th anniversary. We want consumers to know that by buying these sustainable and responsibly sourced products, they are contributing to preserving the oceans,” Bray said.

Season Brand first earned Friend of the Sea certification in 2012, and has “consistently complied with the sustainability criteria, helping preserve the marine species and their surrounding ecosystems” via various measures “including working with fishermen that use nets specially designed to eliminate bycatch, [preventing] catching immature fish and minimize the impact on the seabed,” the certification organization said.

In addition to Friend of the Sea certification, Season Brand has also received approval from the Marine Stewardship Council, is verified non-GMO, and has been certified as gluten-free and OU Kosher. The products within the brand, which has its headquarters in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.A., are sold across the United States.

Photo courtesy of Season Brand and Friend of the Sea