Salmon is one of the most popular fish purchased at grocery stores like Aldi. But with concerns around sustainability and health impacts, consumers want to know – is Aldi’s salmon actually farm raised or wild caught? The sourcing of salmon at major retailers is an important consideration for many shoppers these days.
Understanding Farm Raised vs Wild Caught Salmon
Before examining Aldi specifically, it helps to understand what farm raised and wild caught salmon actually are:
-
Farm raised salmon – Also called aquaculture salmon, this refers to salmon raised in enclosed pens and tanks. Farmers control the environment and feed supply to raise salmon from eggs to harvest size
-
Wild caught salmon – This salmon is caught in its natural habitats like oceans and rivers through commercial fishing The salmon live freely and eat a natural diet of smaller fish, krill, etc.
Farm raised salmon now makes up over 70% of the world’s salmon supply. The consistent availability and lower price point appeal to major retailers like Aldi. But many consumers believe wild caught salmon is superior in terms of flavor and health benefits.
So when looking at a retailer like Aldi, we want to know – is their salmon coming from farms, or wild fisheries?
Fresh Salmon at Aldi – Primarily Farm Raised
Research shows that the majority of fresh salmon sold at Aldi is farm raised. This includes Atlantic salmon fillets, salmon burgers and smoked salmon under Aldi’s brands like Never Any! and Simply Nature. National brands like Sea Queen sold at Aldi are also farmed salmon.
The controlled conditions of salmon farms allow for year-round production. But dense salmon pens have been associated with pollution, disease transmission and excessive antibiotic use. Some retailers claim their farms are “sustainable” but impacts still exist.
In recent years, Aldi has faced criticism over sustainability claims on its farmed salmon. But the low prices and consistent availability keep farm raised salmon as the dominant option for Aldi’s fresh salmon selection.
Steps Toward More Sustainable Salmon Farming
In response to lawsuits and consumer concerns, Aldi does seem to be taking some steps to improve sustainability in its farmed salmon supply chain:
- Transitioning to salmon farm suppliers with eco-certifications like ASC
- Providing more sourcing details online for farmed salmon products
- Removing broad “sustainable” claims from salmon packaging
However, even eco-certified farms have flaws. There is no perfect solution yet for mitigating all the risks of large-scale salmon aquaculture. Still, Aldi appears to be moving in a more eco-conscious direction amidst public pressure.
Purchasing Sustainably Farmed Salmon at Aldi
For consumers who want to buy responsibly raised salmon at Aldi, here are some tips:
-
Look for credible labels – ASC and Global Aquaculture Alliance certifications indicate audited sustainability practices.
-
Research sources – Check Aldi’s website and packaging for sourcing details like location and farming method. This can help identify producers with less impact.
-
Consider limitations – No certification is perfect. Understanding the pros and cons of different salmon farm set-ups can help make informed choices.
-
Think beyond the label – Terms like “all natural” don’t ensure sustainability. Specific details on sourcing and standards matter more.
Aldi’s steps are encouraging but purchasing farmed salmon – even “sustainable” – still carries risks. Consumers concerned about environmental impacts may prefer to avoid farmed salmon when possible.
Wild-Caught Salmon Options at Aldi
For an alternative to farmed salmon, Aldi does offer some wild-caught salmon options:
-
Canned salmon – Pink salmon from Alaska under brands like Season’s Choice. Look for “Alaskan Wild Caught” on labels.
-
Frozen salmon – Fillets and portions are wild Pacific salmon. Sea Queen is one common brand.
-
Seasonal smoked salmon – Found around holidays, this is often wild-caught sockeye salmon.
Sources and availability vary over time. But overall, Aldi’s wild salmon offerings provide a more sustainable alternative to their primarily farmed fresh salmon.
Wild salmon is not without risks too, like overfishing and habitat damage. But conscientious fishery management helps reduce the impacts. For many consumers, wild salmon is considered superior in terms of health and environment.
Health Benefits of Salmon – Farm or Wild
Whether wild or farmed responsibly, salmon offers fantastic nutritional value:
- High omega-3 fatty acids support heart, brain and immune health
- Quality protein provides around 22g per serving
- Rich in B vitamins, selenium, potassium and vitamin D
- Low mercury levels compared to larger fish like tuna
The combination of anti-inflammatory fats, protein and ample vitamins and minerals make all salmon worth eating in moderation. Choosing sustainable sourcing and proper handling can help maximize the benefits.
Making Informed Salmon Purchases at Aldi
Aldi offers affordable salmon options catering to a range of preferences. But with most fresh salmon being farm-raised, sustainability concerns persist. Seeking out wild-caught alternatives and researching sources on farmed products can help consumers make informed choices matching their values.
Despite its popularity, no salmon today is a risk-free option. Pressuring retailers for transparency and voting with our dollars for responsible practices are important ways that shoppers can continue advancing more sustainable salmon farming and fishing over the long term.
What kind of salmon is sold at Aldi?
- Wild-Caught Alaska Pink Salmon Canned in the U.S.A.
- Farmed “Atlantic” Salmon from Chile.*
- Farmed “Atlantic” Cedar Plank Salmon from Chile.
- Farmed “Atlantic” Salmon from Chile with Mediterranean Herbs.
- Farmed “Norwegian” Cold Smoked Salmon.
*”Atlantic Salmon” and “Norwegian Salmon” are other names for farmed fish.
Does ALDI have good salmon?
It depends on who you ask. As a commercial fisherman’s wife, I promote wild-caught because I love the taste, it’s our lifestyle, and I think of all the hard-working fishermen and families behind each catch. With that said, farm-raised salmon has a similar nutritional profile to wild-caught, but some salmon farms do not use the best farming practices (based on U.S. and international standards). The same can be said for some wild-caught fisheries around the world as well. You just have to know what to look for. (Keep reading!)
For example, ALDI offers Wild-Caught Alaska Pink Salmon in the canned section, while the farmed salmon in the fresh and frozen sections are from Chile and Norwegian. Recently, there have been reports of toxic additives in farmed salmon from Chile, yet the U.S. wild-caught salmon fishery is considered well-maintained. The takeaway? Not all farms and fisheries are created equal.
Whether you prefer wild-caught or farmed salmon, information is available to learn if ALDI seafood is sustainably sourced and if the farm or fishery maintains healthy practices. (Sustainability means environmental impact, fair and just work environments, and workers’ quality of life.)
Click here to visit the Oceans Disclosure Project to learn more about the farms and fisheries ALDI uses and which seafood to avoid. They are rated as “Well Managed,” “Managed,” “Needs Improvement,” or “Sustainability Not Rated.”
ALDI Canned Salmon
At the time of writing, canned Alaska Wild-Caught Pink Salmon is $2.99 per can.
Farmed vs Wild Salmon – myth busted!
FAQ
Is Aldi’s salmon wild-caught or farm raised?
The company sells value-pack packages of frozen wild-caught pink salmon filets (which make delicious baked salmon with burst tomatoes) along with cans of wild Alaskan pink salmon (which is one canned meat you should be eating). However, much of the chain’s fresh salmon is farm-raised.
How can you tell if salmon is farmed or wild?
Taste and Texture: Farmed salmon has a buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture; while wild salmon is leaner with a bolder flavor.
Where are Aldi salmon fillets from?
| Ingredients | Salmon (Salmo Salar) ( ). |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Scotland |
| Brand name | Specially Selected |
| Legal name | Skin On, Boneless Scottish Salmon Fillets |
| Manufacturer | Specially Produced for Aldi Stores Ltd., PO Box 26, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 2SH |
Why is Aldi fish so cheap?
Aldi, however, continues to have surprisingly affordable prices on its seafood and fish products. How does the budget grocery chain manage to do it? By practicing responsible sourcing whenever possible and, more specifically, by relying on cost-cutting deals with suppliers for its in-house brands.
Does Aldi use wild-caught fish in salmon feed?
“In particular, Aldi’s suppliers’ use of wild-caught fish in salmon feed, as is routine in the industry, contributes to the collapse of wild fish stock and the aquatic ecosystem, compounding the environmental consequences of Aldi’s salmon products.”
Does Aldi sell farm raised Atlantic salmon?
Their Farm Raised Atlantic Salmon is responsibly sourced from certified farms that adhere to strict environmental standards. Aldi ensures that the farm-raised salmon they offer is free of antibiotics, hormones, and artificial colorings. Aldi understands that customers may have concerns about the sourcing of their seafood products.
Does Aldi have a salmon farming policy?
There’s no perfect solution yet. Aldi’s commitments signal positive movement, but no salmon farming is 100% risk-free yet. Consumers concerned about impacts should research, ask questions, and purchase selectively. With public pressure, transparency from retailers like Aldi can continue improving responsible salmon aquaculture.
Is Aldi sourcing salmon from Chilean fish farms?
The plaintiffs claimed Aldi sourced salmon from Chilean fish farms using harmful chemicals and unsustainable practices. However, Aldi labeled and advertised these salmon products with sustainability claims. This was alleged to be deceptive marketing by the plaintiffs.
Is aldi’s’sustainable’ Atlantic salmon misrepresented?
According to the lawsuit, Aldi’s “sustainable” Atlantic salmon is wholly and misleadingly misrepresented by the defendant.
Is wild caught salmon healthier than farmed salmon?
One food item that has come under scrutiny is wild caught salmon. While many people believe that wild caught salmon is a healthier and more sustainable option than farmed salmon, there is some confusion about what “wild caught” actually means. Is Aldi Fresh Salmon Good?