April 4, 2008
 

US supermarket giant Safeway restricts Chilean salmon imports

US supermarket chain Safeway Inc. has decided to restrict salmon imports from Chile due to ISA virus.
 

The infectious salmon anemia (ISA) disease has been a major problem in Chile, causing even Marine Harvest to downsize its operations in the country.

As it happens, Safeway has restricted the Norwegian seafood giant's salmon supplies. However, the supermarket chain is still purchasing salmon from areas that are not affected by the ISA virus, according to Brian Dowling, a spokesman of Safeway.

While Safeway has restricted purchases of salmon from its supplier Marine Harvest ASA, it is still buying from areas that have not been affected by the so-called ISA virus, said Brian Dowling, a spokesman for the supermarket chain. 

Cesar Barros, the president of Chilean salmon producers, confirmed that Safeway had stopped importing Chilean salmon. However, he denied claims of excessive use of antibiotics and stressed that Chilean salmon is in line with all US safety standards.