Right on the heels of the lawsuit against Nestlé for allegedly using fish caught by slave labourers is a lawsiut against Big Heart Pet Brands (owned by Smuckers) for allegedly importing pet food from suppliers that use slave labour.
One of the suppliers that Nestlé uses, Thai Union Frozen Products, has exported almost 30 million pounds of pet food into the United States. Thai Union has been linked with slave labour. Hagens Berman alleges that Big Heart Pet Brands also imports products from Thai Union and is therefore using products that were caught by slave labourers. Bergman said Big Heart Pet Brands does not disclose that they use fish caught by slave labourers and that violates California law.
The law firm that is representing Bergman states, “Based on our investigation and media reports, Hagens Berman attorneys believe that Thai Union relies on forced or slave labor to catch the fish used in fish-based Meow Mix-brand wet cat foods. These men and boys are victims of many human rights violations: they are trafficked from countries neighboring Thailand, sold to fishing boats by brokers and smugglers, and forced to work under physical violence, emotional abuse, and verbal threats. Reports by the New York Times and The Guardian have recently shed light on these inhumane working conditions.”
