Seafood Task Force: Driving Supply Chain Transparency

Established in 2014, the Seafood Task Force (STF) is a leading trade association driving supply chain transparency in global seafood. Formed to restore confidence across the world in the trade – which came after concerns about social and environmental abuse in global tuna and shrimp supply chains. Made up of almost 40 major retailers, brands, food services companies and their supply chain partners.

The STF is at the heart of pushing supply chain oversight at scale, while pioneering a pro-competitive approach – making it easier for members to reach international standards and growing due diligence requirements.

All STF members provide an annual self-declaration of their supply chain mapping, risk assessment and traceability work, which allows the STF members to share trends and identify best practices.

Based in the US, the STF is a not-for-profit trade association – created for the seafood industry by the seafood industry. Its vision is a future where its members' seafood supply chains are fully traceable, free from the risk of human rights violations and free from environmental degradation.

Vina Cleanfood: Social responsibility and traceability

The latest company to join the STF is Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation (Vina Cleanfood), a leading seafood processor from South-East Asia.

Based in Sóc Trăng, Vina Cleanfood is a top distributor and exporter in Vietnam's thriving shrimp industry, dedicated to delivering the highest quality products and exceptional service to its global partners.

The company has 1,500 staff working across their state-of-the-art facilities to ensure stringent quality control measures. The company has joined the STF in order to bolster its commitment to sustainability and ensure Vina Cleanfood consistently exceeds industry standards.

Vina Cleanfood has joined the STF to ensure social responsibility and traceability across its supply chain while actively contributing to the improvement of Vietnam's ecosystems.

This decision also supports greater investment, fairer pricing and initiatives to enhance the value and well-being of its workforce. Additionally, Vina Cleanfood aims to collaborate with competitors in Vietnam to uphold higher standards and create a level playing field for all.

Mr. Vo Van Phuc, General Director, Vina Cleanfood, says: "Our company always practices according to our criteria, just as our name suggests – Cleanfood. We are pioneers in providing clean products, combining the application of science and technology to develop our farming in order to create safe, high-quality raw materials at competitive prices for consumers. At the same time, creating more benefits for employee and the community is the goal our company strives for."

As one of Vietnam's top ten processors, Vina Cleanfood is poised to sustain its growth trajectory under the leadership of Mr. Vo Van Phuc, who brings over 30 years of industry expertise.

By collaborating directly with the STF, Vina Cleanfood will leverage the trade association's extensive knowledge and practical tools, particularly in the area of labour force management.

Implementing sustainable practices

STF Executive Director, Martin Thurley, adds: "We are excited to welcome Vina Cleanfood as our latest Vietnamese member. With decades of experience and a strong presence in Vietnam, they are uniquely positioned to navigate local challenges and opportunities.

"We are committed to working closely with them and our other Vietnamese members to implement sustainable practices that not only benefit their collective operations but also contribute to the broader advancement of Vietnam's agricultural and environmental goals."

With Vietnam carrying on its role as a significant player in the global shrimp production, Vina Cleanfood follows both TAIKA Seafood and Stapimex as the latest Vietnamese companies to become members of the STF, representing an important step towards improving industry practices in not only Vietnam but South-East Asia too.

Reshaping the board at STF

The STF is currently undergoing a change at the head of its board, as its Chair, Ken Kimble, Vice President GMM - Corporate Foods at Costco Wholesale, is to step down and will be succeeded by both Sean Reber, Senior Director Supplier Development at Walmart and Supavadee Chotikajan, Global Human Rights Lead at Mars Petcare.

A 10-year Walmart associate, Sean has worked in both direct import and supplier development for the company.

Having served as an active member of STF's Responsible Recruitment subcommittee, he has contributed to the development of recruitment guidelines and best practices in the seafood industry, implementation of worker protection measures across international supply chains and has enhanced STF's visibility and influence within the global seafood community.

"I am honoured to be appointed as co-Chair of the STF Board, where I hope my passion for transforming and improving global supply chains can be realised for the STF," says Sean.

"The work that Ken undertook over the past 10 years is testament to where the STF is today, and I look forward to working alongside Khun Pink to implement strategy, continuous improvement and impact on the ground and on the water."

Whilst Supavadee Chotikajan, known across the industry as Pink, has almost two decades of experience working in varied capacities including Mars Incorporated, the Royal Thai Government and UN system.

She also has leadership and extensive project management experience through her work at Mars Petcare in the private sector, particularly on responsible recruitment in the seafood supply industry. Mars Petcare has been a member of the STF since 2016.

"I am excited to work with the STF to drive meaningful, industry-wide change," says Supavadee Chotikajan.

"I am looking forward to collaborating with him to deliver meaningful STF initiatives that can better improve transparency, human rights and environmental impacts within our industry."

Ken: A decade of incredible support

Commenting on both appointments, STF Executive Director, Martin Thurley adds: "First and foremost, I would like to thank Ken for a decade of incredible support. Ken was a founding member of STF and he has been instrumental in shaping the organisation that we are today.

"The appointment of two new Co-Chairs signals an exciting new chapter for the STF and its vision of fully traceable, socially conscious and environmentally sustainable seafood supply chains. Both Pink and Sean are excellent leaders and problem solvers.

"They will help us to drive continuous improvement and support us to deliver impact on the ground and on the water."

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