I’m contacting you in light of our latest investigation which concerns the use of forced labor in China’s seafood processing industry, and a link we’ve discovered between a company engaged in such practices and your supply chain.

Aldi’s supplier, Dalian Rich Enterprise Group, signed a distribution agreement in 2022 with a Chinese conglomerate (Xinjiang Tianyun Organic Agriculture) known to have participated in a Chinese government program described by the U.S. government as an indicator of forced labor.

The United Nations, human rights organizations and academic experts agree that since 2018…

Thank you very much for your enquiry. The ALDI SOUTH Group has not approved any contracts with Dalian Rich Enterprise Group since 2020. However, we can confirm that we receive one product for the UK market from Rongcheng Puchen.

ALDI is committed to fulfilling its duty to respect human rights, and we take any reports of human rights abuses committed in our supply chains very seriously. ALDI maintains a rigorous due diligence process, which we regularly review and revise according to the principle of continuous improvement. Any reported instances of Forced Labour or Illegal, Unreported and Unr…

Thank you very much for engaging with our query and for providing that statement from ALDI SOUTH Group.

The fishing company referred to in my previous email is Zhoushan Ningtai Ocean Fisheries Co. Ltd. (舟山宁泰远洋渔业有限公司). We have evidence of squid catch from a Zhoushan Ningtai Ocean Fisheries vessel (Ning Tai 58) which engaged in unregulated fishing activity, at Rongcheng Puchen’s processing plant. As noted in my previous email, 14 other vessels owned by Zhoushan Ningtai are linked to a range of environmental and human rights issues including forced labor, AIS spoofing, shark finning, and unautho…

I’m contacting you in light of our latest investigation which concerns the use of forced labor in China’s food processing industry, and a link we’ve discovered between companies engaged in such practices and one of your suppliers - Nomad Foods.

Aldi Süd sells Iglo brand white fish products. Our research shows that Northseafood Holland and Unibond Seafood International are white fish suppliers to Nomad Foods brands, which include the Iglo, Birds Eye and Findus range retailing across Europe.

Northseafood Holland has imported shipments of white fish, including pollock, from the processor, Yanta…

Aldi South is committed to fulfilling its duty to respect human rights, and we take any reports of human rights abuses committed in our supply chains very seriously. Aldi South maintains a rigorous due diligence process. Any reported instances of forced labour are covered by Aldi South’s Severe Risk Process which includes thorough investigation, remediation and appropriate business consequences if necessary. The exploitation of workers has no place in our business or supply chain and breaches to our strict policies will be investigated. As such, we would welcome any further information so that…

As an international trading company with global supply chains, ALDI is aware of its responsibility to uphold human rights and environmental standards. We take reports of human rights violations and environmental problems in our supply chains very seriously.

We have established a comprehensive due diligence process that we regularly review and develop. All cases of forced labor or illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing are considered serious risks under our due diligence process and are followed up immediately. If necessary, appropriate consequences are taken, which can range from t…

Since the first inquiry from The Outlaw Ocean Project, we can confirm that we have contacted all relevant suppliers and that audits have been carried out. Any negative results will be followed up as quickly as possible and, if necessary, we will take appropriate commercial action.

The response in its original language said: “Vielen Dank für Ihre Anfrage. Anbei darf ich Ihnen in Vertretung von Frau Völkel die Antwort des Unternehmens übermitteln: Seit der ersten Anfrage des Outlaw Ocean Project können wir bestätigen, dass wir mit allen relevanten Lieferanten Kontakt aufgenommen haben und dass…

Since The Outlaw Ocean Project's initial request, we can confirm that we have contacted all relevant suppliers and that audits have been carried out. Any negative results will be followed up as quickly as possible and appropriate business consequences will be taken if necessary. Please understand that we will not comment publicly on the results of the audits. However, as a precautionary measure, we are temporarily not sourcing products from the production facilities named by The Outlaw Ocean Project.

The response in its original language said: “Wir haben noch einen kleinen Nachtrag – hier gel…

Since The Outlaw Ocean Project's initial inquiry, we can confirm that we have contacted all relevant suppliers and that audits have been carried out. Any negative results will be followed up as quickly as possible and, if necessary, we will take appropriate business action. We ask for your understanding that we will not comment publicly on the results of the audits.

The response in its original language said: “Anbei finden Sie das finale Statement. Wir wären Ihnen sehr dankbar, wenn Sie dieses in Ihrem Bericht berücksichtigen würden – vielen Dank! Seit der ersten Anfrage des Outlaw Ocean Proj…

The Outlaw Ocean Project’s publishing partner in Germany, Die Zeit, contacted Aldi South with additional questions. A summary in English of this email: What is the basis for your decision not to comment publicly on the results of the audits? What evidence do you offer regarding internal reviews, and that negative results are followed up and that appropriate business consequences are drawn if necessary? Under what system and with what consistency does this happen/has this already happened? Thank you for your efforts in answering these questions.

The query in its original language said: “Viele…

ALDI SOUTH does not comment on internal processes for fundamental reasons. This also applies to internal audits of all business units. Of course, ALDI SOUTH has also committed itself to a clear due diligence procedure. Further information can be found here: ALDI SOUTH Group Due Diligence process.

The query in its original language said: “Anbei finden Sie das Statement zu Ihrer Anfrage. Wir hoffen, Sie können dieses noch berücksichtigen: Vielen Dank für Ihre Rückfragen. ALDI SÜD äußert sich aus grundsätzlichen Erwägungen nicht zu internen Prozessen. Dies trifft auch auf interne Audits aller e…

A coalition of eighteen NGOs wrote to thirteen major seafood distributors and retailers, including Aldi South Group, asking a series of questions connected to the Outlaw Ocean's reporting. Their email to Aldi South said: "Dear Aldi South,

We are writing to you on behalf of a consortium of human rights NGOs requesting an update on the steps Aldi South has taken following the investigation published by The Outlaw Ocean Project. The investigation highlighted concerns about state-imposed Uyghur and North Korean forced labor across the Chinese seafood processing facilities, including within your c…

Dear Ethan,

As an international retailer with global supply chains, the ALDI SOUTH Group is aware of its responsibility to respect human and environmental rights. We take any reports of human and environmental rights abuses committed in our supply chains very seriously.

The ALDI SOUTH Group is highly committed to its due diligence processes, which are regularly reviewed and revised to ensure their effectiveness. The Group collaborates closely with its business partners in the fish and seafood supply chains to clearly communicate its stringent expectations and address any non-compliance issue…