US retail chain Albertsons said Thursday it has completed the phase-out of freshwater eel (unagi) from sushi products nearly four years ahead of its self-imposed deadline of the end of 2022.

“While our customers enjoy unagi, they expect us to do the right thing when it comes to the long-term health of a species and our oceans,” said Albertsons' Lori Dupre, director of merchandising operations, deli and prepared food.

The move is part of plans made in 2018 to eliminate unagi and transition tuna, farmed salmon, species of whitefish used for surimi (imitation crab), and farmed shrimp to responsible sources by the end of 2022.

The decision to remove eel from its sushi offerings was made after exploring all possible options, the company said. Per its Responsible Seafood Policy, the company prioritizes working with vendors to address environmental issues rather than discontinue products.

In the absence of a viable sustainable eel source, Albertsons concluded that it must stop sourcing eel until a sustainable source can be established.

Farmed eel is among the lowest-scoring farmed species rated by Seafood Watch, in part because eel farms rely on wild, endangered eels to stock their ponds and because freshwater eel farms can spread disease and pollution, according to the nonprofit seafood watchdog.

Marketplace

Major US retailer phases out eel from sushi products