Food
Consumer Trust in Responsible Seafood Drives New “Seafood You Can Trust” Campaign
New GlobeScan research shows two-thirds of consumers trust the BAP seafood certification label, prompting the Global Seafood Alliance to launch a 2026 “Seafood You Can Trust” consumer campaign focused on transparency and responsible seafood sourcing.
Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Consumer Trust in Responsible Seafood Drives New “Seafood You Can Trust” Campaign
When two-thirds of consumers say they trust a certification label, that’s not just a marketing win—it’s a mandate for action.
New research from GlobeScan, conducted for the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), reveals that consumers across five countries are actively seeking responsible seafood options and relying on credible certifications to guide their purchasing decisions. The findings have prompted GSA to launch a new consumer-facing campaign in 2026 centered on a simple but powerful message: “Seafood You Can Trust.”
What Seafood Consumers Really Care About
The survey, which polled at least 1,000 consumers in Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, focused on people who had purchased seafood in the last six months or consumed fish in the past year. The goal was to understand what drives seafood purchasing decisions and how certification labels like Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) influence consumer behavior.
The results paint a clear picture: consumers want seafood that tastes good, is safe to eat, supports their health, and fits their budget. Nearly half of respondents identified safety as a critical factor when choosing farmed seafood, while more than half (53%) said they actively want to avoid products from irresponsible companies.
“It’s encouraging to see consumers recognizing the value of responsible seafood,” said Gayle Chong, principal at GlobeScan. “Credible certification plays a vital role in guiding purchasing decisions and sends a powerful signal to the industry that integrity matters.”
The Trust Factor: Why BAP Certification Resonates
One of the most significant findings from the survey is the level of trust consumers place in the BAP label. Two-thirds of respondents expressed confidence in BAP certification, with Spanish consumers showing the highest trust levels. More than half (53%) said the BAP label would directly influence their decision to buy or eat a seafood product.
This matters because trust is the currency of modern food systems. In an era of supply chain complexity and competing claims about sustainability, consumers need reliable signals to help them make informed choices. When a certification label earns that trust, it becomes more than a marketing tool—it becomes a bridge between responsible producers and conscious consumers.
More than four in ten consumers reported intentionally purchasing eco-labeled fish and seafood products, demonstrating that responsible sourcing isn’t just a niche concern—it’s a mainstream expectation.
Who Do Consumers Trust for Seafood Information?
The survey also explored which sources of information consumers find most credible when it comes to responsible seafood. The top trusted sources were:
- Fishers and fishmongers
- Certification organizations
- Scientists
- Chefs
This ranking reveals something important: consumers value expertise and direct connection. They trust the people who catch and sell seafood, the scientists who study it, the organizations that certify it, and the chefs who prepare it. These are voices with skin in the game—people whose livelihoods and reputations depend on getting it right.
When it comes to reaching consumers with responsible seafood messaging, the research shows that product packaging is the most effective channel. This makes sense—purchasing decisions happen at the point of sale, and clear, trustworthy labeling on the package itself provides information exactly when and where consumers need it.
Introducing the 2026 “Seafood You Can Trust” Campaign
Armed with these insights, GSA is launching a new consumer-facing marketing campaign in 2026 built around the tagline “Seafood You Can Trust.” The phrase was one of the top-chosen taglines by consumers across all surveyed countries—a testament to its clarity and resonance.
“Our chosen campaign tagline, Seafood You Can Trust, was one of the top chosen taglines by consumers across all countries—a simple yet effective message,” said Elise Avallon, GSA’s marketing director. “We look forward to working with retail and food service partners, as well as BAP-certified producers, to bring this campaign to life.”
The campaign will leverage the survey’s findings to meet consumers where they are—on product packaging, through trusted voices, and with straightforward messaging that cuts through the noise. By emphasizing safety, responsibility, and credibility, the campaign aims to make it easier for consumers to choose seafood that aligns with their values.
Why This Matters Beyond Marketing
The GlobeScan survey and the resulting campaign represent more than a branding exercise. They reflect a broader shift in how consumers think about food—not just as fuel or pleasure, but as a choice with consequences.
When consumers say they want to avoid irresponsible companies, they’re expressing a desire for accountability. When they trust certification labels, they’re signaling that third-party verification matters. And when they actively seek out eco-labeled products, they’re voting with their wallets for a food system that prioritizes sustainability alongside taste and affordability.
For producers, retailers, and food service operators, this research offers a roadmap. Consumers are ready to support responsible seafood—they just need clear, credible information to guide their choices. Certifications like BAP provide that clarity, and campaigns like “Seafood You Can Trust” amplify the message.
Getting Involved
GSA recently hosted a webinar providing an overview of the key findings from the GlobeScan study, which is available to view online. The organization is also inviting retail and food service partners, as well as BAP-certified producers, to get involved in the 2026 marketing campaign.
As the seafood industry continues to navigate challenges around sustainability, traceability, and consumer trust, initiatives like this demonstrate that transparency and credibility aren’t just good ethics—they’re good business.
About the Global Seafood Alliance
The Global Seafood Alliance is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy, and third-party assurance. The Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program is one of the most comprehensive and widely recognized aquaculture certification programs in the world.
Sources:
For more stories about the latest Food and Beverage news, whether it’s locally or globally, visit our Food & Drink section.
Interested in learning more about responsible seafood sourcing? Look for the BAP certification label next time you’re shopping for fish or seafood.
Health
5 Nutrition-Boosting Tips to Spread Protein Throughout the Day
Nutrition Boost: Most Americans are eating enough protein. They’re just eating it wrong. Build your morning meal around protein, such as a Tart Cherry Cottage Cheese Smoothie, or make snack time count with Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Toast with a delicious drizzle of hot honey.
(Feature Impact) Most Americans are eating enough protein. They’re just eating it wrong.
Protein is the macronutrient of the moment – for muscle building, losing weight and staying strong – but nutrition researchers say two things are missing from the conversation: timing and quality.
Spreading protein intake across the day produced about 25% greater muscle protein synthesis, even when the total daily intake was identical, according to research published in the “Journal of Nutrition.”
“Your muscles don’t have a bank account,” said Chris Mohr, PhD, RD, performance nutritionist. “You can’t deposit all your protein at one meal and expect your body to save it for later.”
Most researchers point to a target of about 30 grams of high-quality protein per meal to maximize muscle protein synthesis in most adults.
However, grams aren’t everything. The source matters just as much.
“Aim to get most of your protein from whole, nutrient-dense foods rather than relying on powders, bars and snacks that don’t have much else to offer,” Mohr said. “Supplements have their place but they should build on a real-food foundation, not replace it.”
Quality comes down to amino acids – specifically, whether a source contains all nine essential ones the body can’t produce on its own. Animal proteins (dairy, eggs, meat, fish) check that box. Many plant proteins don’t and tend to be lower in leucine, the amino acid most critical for triggering muscle growth. Dairy is especially rich in leucine.
Mohr recommends a source of dairy at every meal, including milk, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. He suggests cottage cheese with the highest levels of protein, such as MULU cottage cheese that contains 18 grams of protein per serving – one-third more than the leading brand.
Additionally, Mohr offers these tips to spread protein intake throughout the day:
- Start with a protein anchor. Build your morning meal around protein, such as scrambled eggs with cottage cheese or a Tart Cherry Cottage Cheese Smoothie with nut butter.
- Layer in protein at lunch. A salad with grilled chicken, a turkey and cheese wrap or a grain bowl with edamame and hard-boiled eggs can hit the 30-gram target.
- Make snacks count. Use cottage cheeseas a base for dips or keep hard-boiled eggs on hand for quick, protein-rich options. Or, in just 7 minutes when time is of the essence, you can prepare Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Toast with a delicious drizzle of hot honey.
- Treat dinner as a cap, not a catchup. By evening, protein intake should already be well distributed. Try a moderate portion of fish, lean meat or legumes alongside vegetables.
- Eat slow-digesting protein before bed. Studies show consuming casein protein before sleep – the slow-digesting protein found naturally in dairy – supports overnight muscle repair. One-half cup of cottage cheese or a glass of milk before bed is a practical, evidence-backed way to put science to work.
To find more protein-rich solutions to power your day, visit MULUProtein.com.
Tart Cherry Cottage Cheese Smoothie
Servings: 2
- 1 cup MULU low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 frozen banana, peeled
- 3/4 cup frozen tart cherries
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 1 tablespoon nut butter
- water
- In blender, blend cottage cheese, banana, cherries, ground flaxseed, milk and nut butter on high speed until completely smooth, 45-60 seconds.
- If smoothie is too thick, add water, 2 tablespoons at a time, and blend to preferred texture.
- Pour into two glasses and serve or pour into sealed jar or container and refrigerate overnight; stir or shake well before drinking.
Nutritional information per serving: 310 calories; 35 g carbohydrates; 22 g protein; 10 g fat.
Air Fryer Cottage Cheese Toast
Servings: 2
- 1 cup MULU low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 teaspoons hot honey
- 2 teaspoons chili crunch
- Preheat air fryer to 400 F.
- Spread 1/2 cup cottage cheese onto each slice of sourdough bread.
- Transfer slices into fryer basket. Cook about 7 minutes, or until cottage cheese is golden, bubbly and lightly set.
- Remove toast from air fryer. Drizzle 1 teaspoon hot honey and 1 teaspoon chili crunch over each slice and serve.
Nutritional information per serving: 295 calories; 38 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 6 g fat.
SOURCE:
MULU Cottage Cheese
🍽️ Love discovering great food and drink? Join the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News Food and Drink newsletter for the latest recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and culinary stories delivered straight to your inbox.
The beloved bite-sized favorite returns nationwide with new meal options and a social media twist
For years, KFC customers flooded social media with one simple request: Bring back Popcorn Chicken.
Now, after more than three years off the menu, the fast-food chain has answered that call. KFC announced the nationwide return of its iconic Popcorn Chicken, reviving one of the restaurant’s most requested menu items in recent memory.
Originally introduced in the early 1990s, Popcorn Chicken quickly became a favorite among fans who appreciated its crispy, bite-sized pieces that were perfect for dipping, sharing, or enjoying as a quick snack. The menu item disappeared from restaurants in 2023, sparking years of online petitions, comments, and customer requests asking for its return.
According to KFC, those voices did not go unheard.
“We read every comment, every DM, and even every online petition signature,” said Melissa Cash, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC U.S. “The message was impossible to ignore.”
The company says the return is part of its broader “Kentucky Fried Comeback” strategy, which focuses on reconnecting with longtime fans while introducing new ways for customers to engage with the brand.
Three Ways to Enjoy Popcorn Chicken
Customers can now order Popcorn Chicken in several different formats, while supplies last:
- $10 Popcorn Chicken Bucket – A 16-ounce bucket served with four dipping sauces, designed for sharing.
- Popcorn Chicken Big Box ($10.99) – Includes 6 ounces of Popcorn Chicken, two Original Recipe Tenders, medium fries, a medium drink, two dipping sauces, and a chocolate chunk cookie.
- Popcorn Chicken Combo ($8.49) – Features 6 ounces of Popcorn Chicken, medium fries, a medium drink, and one dipping sauce.
Prices and participation may vary by location.
More Than a Menu Item
KFC isn’t just bringing back the food—it is also embracing internet culture.
To celebrate the return, the company partnered with GIPHY to launch a collection of exclusive Popcorn Chicken-themed GIFs featuring Colonel Sanders. The animated reactions are designed to appear alongside the familiar “grab the popcorn” moments that dominate social media during sporting events, reality television, and other viral moments.
The campaign reflects how restaurants are increasingly extending product launches beyond the dining room by engaging customers through social media and digital platforms.
The Power of Nostalgia
The return of Popcorn Chicken highlights a growing trend across the restaurant industry: the revival of discontinued menu favorites.
Major restaurant chains have increasingly found success bringing back nostalgic products after years of customer demand. Limited-time returns often generate excitement on social media while encouraging longtime customers to revisit the brand.
For KFC, Popcorn Chicken represents more than just another menu option—it is a reminder of a product that helped define the chain for an entire generation of customers.
Whether enjoyed as a quick snack, paired with fries, or shared with family and friends, fans once again have the chance to enjoy one of KFC’s most recognizable comfort foods.
The returning menu item is available now at participating KFC restaurants nationwide while supplies last.
Why This Matters
The revival of Popcorn Chicken demonstrates how customer feedback—especially through social media—can directly influence menu decisions. Rather than relying solely on introducing new products, brands are increasingly looking to nostalgia and fan favorites to reconnect with loyal customers while attracting a new generation of diners.
Related Links
🍴 What’s your favorite food, recipe, or dining spot? Tell us in the comments! Then subscribe to the STM Daily News Foos and Drink newsletter for fresh recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and delicious stories delivered straight to your inbox. Join our growing community of food lovers today!
Child Health
How One Sweet Fruit Packs a Powerful Nutritional Punch
As conversations around nutrient-dense eating continue to grow, fresh fruit has become one of the simplest ways to add naturally occurring vitamins and minerals to everyday routines. One easy place to start is this Nut Butter and Kiwifruit Toast, which combines wholesome ingredients with the sweet tropical flavor of kiwifruit (sweet fruit) for a satisfying breakfast, snack or light meal.
How One Sweet Fruit Packs a Powerful Nutritional Punch
(Feature Impact) Consumers today are looking for foods that do more than simply taste good; they want foods that deliver nutrition in every bite. As conversations around nutrient-dense eating continue to grow, fresh fruit has become one of the simplest ways to add naturally occurring vitamins and minerals to everyday routines.
Kiwifruit is a standout example. According to the International Fresh Produce Association, kiwifruit climbed to No. 14 among the nation’s top-selling fresh fruits with household purchasing increasing 20%. What’s more, it’s now the fastest-growing fruit in the fruit bowl as more shoppers discover its unique combination of exceptional nutrition and naturally sweet flavor.
That success story has been more than a century in the making.
From Ancient Origins to Modern Favorite
Although many people associate kiwifruit with New Zealand, its story began in China’s Yangtze River Valley. In 1904, New Zealand educator Isabel Fraser returned home from China with green kiwifruit seeds, which she passed along to horticulturist Alexander Allison. Over the following decades, growers cultivated and refined the fruit, helping establish New Zealand as the world’s leading kiwifruit producer.
By the 1990s, years of natural breeding and cross-pollination led to the development of the first commercially successful yellow-fleshed kiwifruit, offering consumers a sweeter flavor and vibrant golden flesh. When a devastating vine disease threatened orchards worldwide in 2010, continued breeding innovation led to the development of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit – a resilient variety with smooth skin, juicy golden flesh and a tropical-sweet flavor that helped revitalize the category.
Jam-Packed With Nutrition
Today, kiwifruit is recognized as one of the most nutrient-dense fruits available, making it an easy choice for people looking to get more nutritional value from the foods they eat. They provide more than 10 vitamins and minerals in every serving, including vitamin C to contribute to the normal function of the immune system, folate to support healthy cell growth and development and vitamin E to help protect cells from everyday damage.
“When people think about eating healthier, they often assume it has to be complicated,” registered dietitian Nisha Melvani said. “I encourage people to start with simple, whole foods that naturally deliver a variety of nutrients. Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit is an easy choice because it provides more than 10 vitamins and minerals, including 100% of your daily vitamin C needs, in one delicious fruit that fits seamlessly into breakfast, snacks or even dessert.”
From Orchard to Everyday Favorite
As more consumers embrace whole foods over complicated nutrition trends, kiwis are finding their way into everyday routines – and pop culture. Creators including Emma Chamberlain and musician Josh Conway have highlighted the fruit as part of their daily snacking habits, while “Good Housekeeping” featured golden kiwifruit in its 2025 Best Produce Snacks of the Year, highlighting its naturally sweet flavor, juicy texture and broad appeal.
Whether enjoyed on its own, added to smoothies, layered onto yogurt or incorporated into savory dishes, kiwifruit offers a simple, delicious way to enjoy more nutrition throughout the day. One easy place to start is this Nut Butter and Kiwifruit Toast, which combines wholesome ingredients with the sweet tropical flavor of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit for a satisfying breakfast, snack or light meal.
Discover more fresh recipes, nutrition insights and delicious ways to enjoy kiwifruit at Zespri.com and see why one of today’s fastest-growing fruits is earning a permanent place in more fruit bowls.
Nut Butter and Kiwifruit Toast
Nut Butter:
- 1 cup roasted nuts (almonds, cashews, hazelnuts or pecans)
- sunflower oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon seeds (chia, sunflower or hemp)
- 2 slices sprouted grain bread, toasted
- 1 Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit, sliced
- To make nut butter: In food processor, blend nuts at high speed until finely ground. Scrape sides of blender. Add few drizzles of sunflower oil, salt and seeds; blend until creamy. Transfer to jar and store up to 1 week in refrigerator.
- Spread nut butter onto toasted bread and top with slices of kiwi.
SOURCE:
Zespri
💪 Your health journey starts here! Explore the latest health news, fitness tips, wellness trends, and healthy living advice. Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter to stay informed and inspired every day.
