Correspondence
Email to Aldi South's press office and marked FAO Linda van Rennings, Aldi South's spokesperson for sustainability communication.
The email said that Aldi's supplier Dalian Rich 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 email also said that a supplier of squid products to Aldi's own-brand ranges Tasty Catch and Fishmonger - Rongcheng Puchen - has received catch from a vessel known to have engaged in unregulated fishing. The company that owns that vessel has a history of illegal fishing and human rights abuses, with our investigation identifying 14 of its vessels as engaged in activities including forced labor, AIS spoofing, shark finning, and unauthorized transhipment. The email also asked Aldi for comment.
Cathleen Völkel of the communications company Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner replied for Aldi, saying the company has not approved any contracts with Dalian Rich Enterprise Group since 2020, and confirming that Aldi receives one product for the U.K. from Rongcheng Puchen. The email also said that Aldi would welcome any information that shows the processer has sourced an Aldi product from this vessel "so that we are able to carry out a thorough investigation".
The Outlaw Ocean Project replied with further details of the fishing company and vessel referenced in the first email to Aldi and asked if Aldi has any concerns that the processor supplying their products is receiving catch from a fishing company with a history of illegal fishing and human rights abuses.
Paulina Burghardt of communications company Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner replied to say: "Unfortunately, after internal consultation, I have to inform you that Aldi South cannot answer your question."
The Outlaw Ocean Project emailed Aldi South describing links between its supplier Nomad Foods and the use of Uyghur forced labor in seafood processing facilities in China. The email asked: Could you confirm whether white fish sourced from Yantai Sanko, Yantai Longwin and Qingdao Tianyuan has been used in any of the Iglo branded products sold by Aldi Süd since 2018?
Paulina Burghardt at Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner, replied: "Unfortunately, we cannot meet the current deadline. Is it possible to extend it for another one to two weeks?"
Paulina Burghardt at Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner, replied with a statement from Aldi: "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 we are able to carry out a thorough investigation."
The Outlaw Ocean Project's publishing partner in Germany, Die Zeit, contacted Aldi South for comment on the origin of fish products from China.
Cathleen Völkel from the PR agency Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner replied by email, saying that to ensure responsible sourcing of fish products, Aldi South relies on independent certification schemes which cover 87 percent of its fish and seafood range. "All cases of forced labor or illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing are considered serious risks under our due diligence process and are followed up immediately," the email said. "If necessary, appropriate consequences will be applied, which may range from joint development of action plans to termination of cooperation."
The Outlaw Ocean Project's publishing partner in Germany, Die Zeit, asked Aldi South for an update on its internal investigation into the findings of The Outlaw Ocean Project’s investigation.
Paulina Burghardt at Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner, replied for Aldi South, saying that since The Outlaw Ocean Project’s initial contact with the company, it has contacted all relevant suppliers and audits have been carried out. Any negative findings will be followed up as soon as possible and, if necessary, appropriate commercial action taken, she added.
Cathleen Völkel of Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner sent an additional email for Aldi South, saying that it does not comment publicly on the result of audits, however as a precautionary measure the company is not sourcing any products from the production facilities mentioned by The Outlaw Ocean Project.
Paulina Burghardt of Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner emailed again reiterating Aldi South’s statement dated October 31, 2023, that since The Outlaw Ocean Project’s initial contact with the company, Aldi South has contacted all relevant suppliers and audits have been carried out. Any negative findings will be followed up as soon as possible and, if necessary, appropriate commercial action taken, she added.
The Outlaw Ocean Project’s publishing partner in Germany, Die Zeit, contacted Aldi South to ask: 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.
Paulina Burghardt of Rosam.Grünberger.Jarosch & Partner replied for Aldi South, saying that as a matter of principle, the Aldi South Group does not comment on internal processes, and this also applies to internal audits of all divisions. She added that the Aldi South Group has committed itself to a clear due diligence process and more information on this can be found in the Group’s Due Diligence process statements online.