The MSC and ASC Chain of Custody certificate indicating fish products' sustainability granted to Kespro

KESKO PRESS RELEASE 9.5.2016 AT 12.30 1 (2)

Kespro was granted the MSC Chain of Custody - the traceability certificate - at the end of April. All phases of Kespro's fish and shellfish supply chain have been audited, and Kespro and its certified customer restaurants can use MSC and ASC ecolabelling in their marketing.

In line with the K-Group's fish and shellfish statement Kespro favours sustainable fish stocks and MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified suppliers when making decisions on its selections.

The MSC ecolabel on a fish or shellfish product indicates that it originates from A sustainable fish stock and a sustainable fishery. The ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) logo indicates that strict environmental and social responsibility criteria have been observed in fish farming.

The origins of the MSC and ASC products in Kespro's selection can be traced all the way back to the sustainably operating fishery.

Certification ensures traceability

Kespro, part of the K-Group, is the first Finnish HoReCa wholesaler to have received the MSC and ASC Chain of Custody certificate.

Restaurants, catering services and fish counters can sell and market MSC/ASC products as ecolabelled if they have a valid MSC Chain of Custody Standard's certificate and licence agreement. In addition, the entire supply chain of the companies must be certified in line with Chain of Custody Standard.

"Kespro has around 25,000 customers, such as restaurants, hotels and public kitchens. When the entire supply chain has been certified, our certified customer restaurants can use MSC and ASC ecolabelling on their menus and marketing. This makes it easier for people eating there to choose sustainably caught fish, marked with the MSC and ASC logo," says Kespro's Quality Manager Mia Haavisto.

Kespro has nearly 250 certified fish products in its selection

In order to gain the MSC and ASC Chain of Custody certificate, Kespro had to refine its practices, provide instructions and train employees.

A Chain of Custody Audit was conducted at Kespro in March-April. The multi-day and comprehensive audit proved that everything was in order at Kespro. The MSC and ASC Chain of Custody certificate was granted to Kespro at the end of April.

The certificate covers the MSC and ASC products sold by Kespro and Kesko Food. Currently Kespro has nearly 250 such products in its selection and the number is constantly increasing.

Further information:
Quality Manager Mia Haavisto, Kespro Ltd, tel. +358 10 53 24029
Vice President Matti Kalervo, Corporate Responsibility, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 50 306 4081

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) manages the most reliable environmental certification programme in the world for sustainable fishing and the traceability of seafood. The MSC ecolabel on a fish and shellfish product ensures that the product originates from a sustainable fish stock and a sustainable fishery.

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) manages the certification programme for responsible aquaculture. ASC certified fisheries observe strict environmental and social responsibility criteria.

The about 40,000 exceptionally nice people of the K-Group work daily to make shopping fun for customers in our stores in the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries and Russia. We help our more than 1,500 stores serve their customers in the grocery trade, the home improvement and speciality goods trade, and the car trade. We do our work with a big heart while paying attention to society and the environment. We are already the most responsible food retailer in the world and are constantly trying out something new. We are doing this to provide good choices both on the shelves of the local stores and online.
www.kesko.fi

Kespro, part of the K-Group, is a leading wholesaler in the hotel, restaurant and catering (HoReCa) sector which wants to stand out as a responsible operator and provide its customers with sustainable fish and shellfish products.
www.kespro.fi