Amazon is facing a proposed class action in the US over allegations that it misrepresented the environmental sustainability of seafood sold on its platform.
The complaint was filed by Hagens Berman in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington
The lawsuit specifically challenges Amazon’s use of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, which it describes as operating on a “pay-for-play” basis. According to the filing, Amazon used descriptions such as “dolphin safe”, “sustainable”, “responsibly sourced”, “traceable”, and “MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood” for seafood products sold through its platform. The products cited include Amazon’s 365 by Whole Foods Market line and third-party brands Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea and StarKist.
The lawsuit also alleges these statements gave consumers the impression that Amazon’s seafood sourcing causes little harm to oceans and marine ecosystems. It says that impression was either not supported by evidence or, in some cases, was factually incorrect. In addition, the complaint also alleges that products carrying the certification, or the suppliers linked to them, are not necessarily following genuinely sustainable practices.