The report praised ALDI for its “comprehensive, publicly available seafood and human rights policies” and explicit advocacy “for a living wage for workers in its supply chain.” The limited scope of its grievance mechanisms and the fact that its corporate responsibility supplier evaluation program is still in development lowered its score.

Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie, received the lowest human rights rating.

Transshipment is the practice of offloading a fishing vessel’s catch onto other boats that deliver it to shore. It is frequently associated with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and because it allows fishing vessels to stay at sea for extended periods of time, it also increases the risk of human and labor rights violations in supply chains.

Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market, the largest U.S. chain specializing in “natural” and organic foods, received the highest score of 75% for sustainability. ALDI came in second with 70%, bringing its total overall score to 62%, the first and only passing grade since the addition of human rights factors to the rankings last year. The authors lauded Whole Foods’ stringent traceability and sourcing standards, including its pledge to sell only pole-and-line and hand-line-caught canned tuna. These methods reduce bycatch and overfishing more than other methods, and they benefit human rights because vessels are smaller and tend to work along the coast rather than in the open ocean, resulting in shorter periods at sea and more localized employment.

Costco was ranked second-to-last in terms of sustainability, with a score of 32%. Critics focused on its “vague” sourcing and seafood sustainability policies, as well as its lack of a transshipment policy.