How to identify sustainable supermarket sushi

Is that take-out sushi that you grab from the supermarket sustainable?

For many people, the answer is “Uh, maybe?”

SeaChoice, an organization that promotes sustainable fisheries, offers a wallet-sized guide to helping consumers make sustainable sushi choices. But even upon consulting the card--which color-codes sushi into green for Best Choice, yellow for Some Concerns, and red for Avoid—the best choice in the cooler isn’t always clear.

Now, at certain stores, consumers can look for the SeaChoice sticker.

Bento, which calls itself the largest sushi company in Canada, has recently partnered with SeaChoice. The company sells packaged sushi in supermarkets and food-service facilities, and it’s working towards selling only sustainable seafood by 2012.

According to a news release, about 65 percent of Bento’s products are currently sustainable. These packages are now identified with a SeaChoice label. Products without the label are not SeaChoice approved.

In the move to a fully sustainable line, Bento has replaced red tuna with troll-caught Albacore tuna from the Pacific Northwest. It has also eliminated unagi (eel) and octopus from its menu. All are listed on SeaChoice’s “Avoid” list.

The company is working on sourcing sustainable salmon, shrimp, and more.

In the Lower Mainland, Bento products are sold at Real Canadian Superstores and at Whole Foods Market in West Vancouver (925 Main Street).

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