Correspondence
Email sent to the marketing direcctor of Quirch Foods Caribbean.
The email said: "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 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), passed in 2017, the U.S. prohibits the import of any goods produced by North Korean nationals unless clear and convincing evidence is provided that indicates the materials were not made with forced labor. According to trade data seen by The Outlaw Ocean Project, Quirch Foods Caribbean was the consignee for multiple shipments of seafood from Donggang Haimeng in 2021 and 2022. While we understand that you may not be aware of the above issues, does Quirch Foods Caribbean have any comment to make in response to this email? Can you confirm if any product sourced from Donggang Haimeng has been supplied by Quirch Foods Caribbean to Walmart since January 2021?"
Jorge Roza, Marketing Director, replied: "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."
Email sent to Jorge Roza, Marketing Director at Quirch Foods, saying: "Thanks for your email, Jorge. Could you let us know Quirch Foods' response by close of business on Thursday (November 30)?"
Jorge Roza replied for Quirch Foods: "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 concerns to our attention, and we will investigate the matter. We take compliance seriously and if any supplier is found to be noncompliant with our standards or legal requirements, we will take appropriate action, including termination of our relationship with that entity."
The Outlaw Ocean Project replied: "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?"