There have been several recent class action lawsuits in the United States against the eco-labels for false claims, in an attempt to halt greenwashing, but labels such as the MSC. This article focuses on the lawsuit against ConAgra, and highlights alleged shortcomings of the MSC label saying “experts are concerned that the rapid growth of the MSC and inherent conflict of interest involved with its operations have influenced the MSC to compromise its objective”.
Arlin Wasserman of Changing Tastes states “If you want to draw a parallel in the food industry, you don’t get to say your food is organic and phase out pesticides two or three years later. Consumers think the certification means this standard is being met now.”
Erika Feller, director of MSC Americas indicated that she believes the MSC continues to provide “the highest level of assurance that MSC eco-labeled products come from fisheries that are independently verified as environmentally sustainable.”
