Kochi, India-headquartered Choice Canning Company has received Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification for shrimp farms and production facilities in Andhra Pradesh that supply it with product. Combined capacity of the operations is 330 metric tons per annum.
This designation, which came after a thorough audit of the entire supply chain assured all links are responsibly managed, followed the company’s previously attained BAP 4 Star certification of select aquaculture operations in India that channel raw material to its processing plants. The audited farms are provided seed from 24 hatcheries that import brood stock from Thailand and the United States.
“Having consistently achieved the highest rating for food safety and social responsibility audits, we have now reached the highest level of environmental sustainability and social accountability for farmed shrimp by this certification from the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Our team in India has worked hard and dedicated much time and effort to this accomplishment, and we applaud them,” said Jacob Jose, vice president of operations based in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA.
The company, founded in 1953 and regarded as a pioneer in India’s IQF seafood industry, is active in export markets around the world. In the USA it further processes shrimp at a state-of-the-art food processing plant in Pittston, Pennsylvania, where value-added signature skillet meals are packed under the Tastee Choice brand name. The retail line ranges from Taste Choice Shrimp Scampi and Shrimp Fried Rice in 24-ounce bags to recently launched Cajun-style Shrimp Creole, Jambalaya and Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo under the Bayou Cookin’ sub-brand.
The Pennsylvania factory also produces non-seafood meal kits including Chicken Parmigiana, Sesame Chicken, Beef & Broccoli and other dishes in 22- and 24-ounce bags.
Other products offered under both private labels and the proprietary Tastee Choice brand include cooked salad shrimp as well as cooked and raw EZ-peel and deveined tail-on shrimp.
