The Outlaw Ocean Project

The Outlaw Ocean Project

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 a company engaged in such practices and your supply chain – Donggang Haimeng Foodstuff. We have uncovered evidence that Donggang Haimeng used North Korean labor after the December 2019 deadline for the repatriation of overseas North Korean workers required under United Nations Security Council sanctions. This evidence shows North Korean labor at Donggang Haimeng’s factory in Liaoning, China, as recently as 2023. Under the Counte…

Jorge RozaMarketing Director

Sorry I’m just seeing now your email. Due to the short week of the holidays I will need a few days to respond to your email. Thank you for your patience.

The Outlaw Ocean Project

Thanks for your email, Jorge. Could you let us know Quirch Foods' response by close of business on Thursday (November 30)?

Jorge Roza

In response to your inquiry on November 21, 2023: Social responsibility has always been at the top of our priorities. Quirch Foods makes efforts to perform annual visits and audits of vendors we source from, prioritizing based on risk. As part of our risk assessment and evaluation process, we incorporate SEDEX-SMETA and BAP schemes and audits to help confirm compliance from our vendors. In addition, as part of our supplier vetting process, our Quality Assurance team conducts a desk/document audits to evaluate food safety as well as social risk evaluations. We appreciate you bringing these conc…

The Outlaw Ocean Project

Thank you very much for your engagement on this and for providing that statement. Could you confirm the date of the last SEDEX-SMETA and/or BAP audits conducted at Donggang Haimeng, and the name of the auditor?