Lawsuit Investigation: Bumble Bee Tuna and Salmon Not as Sustainable as Advertised?
Last Updated on September 27, 2023
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who purchased certain Bumble Bee canned or pouched tuna or salmon products that showcased the "certified sustainable seafood" blue fish tick label.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org believe Bumble Bee may have falsely advertised certain tuna and salmon products as “sustainable” in light of reports that the company may source some of its seafood using environmentally destructive fishing methods. Now, they’re looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of buyers.
- What Products Are Under Investigation?
- Prime Yellowfin Basil Pesto & Roasted Garlic in Olive Oil; Prime Yellowfin Balsamic & Herb in Olive Oil; Chunk Light Tuna In Water; Chunk Light Tuna In Oil; Skinless Boneless Sockeye Salmon; Sockeye Salmon; Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon; Pink Salmon; Teriyaki Seasoned Tuna Pouch; Wild Caught Pink Salmon Skinless & Boneless Pouch; and Applewood Smoke Seasoned Tuna Pouch.
- How Could a Lawsuit Help?
- If successful, a class action lawsuit could help consumers get back some of the money they spent on the seafood. It could also force Bumble Bee to change how the products are made or sourced.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of consumers who purchased any of the following Bumble Bee products:
- Chunk Light Tuna In Water;
- Chunk Light Tuna In Oil;
- Skinless Boneless Sockeye Salmon;
- Sockeye Salmon;
- Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon;
- Pink Salmon;
- Prime Yellowfin Basil Pesto & Roasted Garlic in Olive Oil;
- Prime Yellowfin Balsamic & Herb in Olive Oil;
- Teriyaki Seasoned Tuna Pouch;
- Wild Caught Pink Salmon Skinless & Boneless Pouch; and
- Applewood Smoke Seasoned Tuna Pouch.
They have reason to suspect that the products, despite being advertised with the blue “certified sustainable seafood” label, may, in fact, be sourced through destructive fishing methods that harm ocean habitats and marine life.
The attorneys believe that Bumble Bee’s potential misrepresentations may have come at the expense of unwitting consumers who paid a premium price to eat what they thought was ethically sourced seafood.
Bumble Bee Under Scrutiny for Suspected Unsustainable Fishing Techniques
The Bumble Bee products at issue come adorned with the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) “blue fish tick label,” a certification the nonprofit organization says it awards fishing companies that use sustainable fishing practices. However, reports have surfaced accusing MSC of certifying fisheries that capture high levels of bycatch—i.e., non-target marine species unintentionally caught in fishing nets, such as dolphins, sea turtles and whales.
The attorneys believe that Bumble Bee may have wrongfully received MSC certification, as environmental advocates have claimed that the company’s longline fishing technique is among the “most damaging to the marine ecosystem.” This method, which requires miles-long fishing lines equipped with thousands of hooks, is reported to indiscriminately trap, injure and kill excessive amounts of sea birds, marine mammals and juvenile fish.
How Could a Lawsuit Help?
If filed and successful, a class action lawsuit could help buyers get back some of the money they spent on the Bumble Bee tuna and salmon products in question, and it could also force the company to change how it labels or sources the products.
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