Lawsuits Spread Regarding Allegedly Using Fish Caught by Slave Labourers

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.”

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Nestlé Sued for Allegedly Using Fish Caught by Slave Laborers

The class action suit has been filed in the Central District of California for violation of California consumer protection laws. The case file states, “America’s largest and most profitable food conglomerates should not tolerate slave labor anywhere in their supply chains. These companies should not turn a blind eye to known human rights abuses or shirk from investigating potential human rights abuses by their suppliers, especially when the companies consistently and affirmatively represent that they act in a socially and ethically responsible manner. When these food conglomerates fail to uphold their responsibility for ensuring the absence of slave labor in their supply chains, their misconduct has the profound consequence of supporting and encouraging slave labor. And when these food conglomerates fail to disclose the use of slave labor in their supply chains to consumers, they are deceived into buying products they would not have otherwise and thereby unwittingly supporting slave labor themselves through their product purchases.”

Nestlé has a partner in Thailand, Thai Union Frozen Products PCL (Thai Union). According to United States custom documents Thai Union shipped in excess of 28 million pounds of seafood-based pet food into the United States. Thai Union is a vertically integrated producer, processor, and exporter of canned seafood and pet food. Thai Union uses fish that are sourced from “motherships”; motherships are large boats that collect fish from smaller fishing vessels and markets. Director of Anti-Slavery International, Aidan McQuade said, “If you buy prawns or shrimp from Thailand, you will be buying the product of slave labor.”

The case file states, “In the course of marketing and selling its pet foods, however, Nestlé materially omits and does not disclose the likelihood that much of the fish in its pet food is the product of slave labor. Furthermore, Nestlé does not disclose that despite its awareness that slave labor is being used in its supply chains, Nestlé has not required its suppliers to remedy this human tragedy.”

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