Correspondence
Email sent to Kevin Larsen, Vice-President of Sales at Bornstein Seafoods Inc.
The email said: "I’m contacting you in light of our latest investigation which concerns the use of forced labor in China’s food processing industry, and a link we’ve discovered between a company engaged in such practices and your supply chain.
Bornstein Seafoods Inc.’s supplier Rizhao Rirong Aquatic Products and Foods Co. Ltd. is a Rongsense Group company. The Rongsense Group has received multiple groups of persons from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China under the state-imposed labor transfer program.
The United Nations, human rights organizations and academic experts agree that since 2018, the Chinese government has systematically subjected Xinjiang’s predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities to forced labor across the country via state-sanctioned employment schemes which use coercive methods in worker enrollment and obstruct freedom to leave employment. The U.S. has prohibited the importation of goods produced from state-imposed forced labor.
Does Bornstein Seafoods Inc. have any comment or statement to make in light of the above information? Please respond to this email by close of business June 16, 2023."
The Outlaw Ocean Project emailed Bornstein Seafoods, saying: "I recently contacted you in relation to our investigation into the use of forced labor in China’s seafood processing industry, as it related to your supply chain.
The email noted that the Rongsense Group, whose company Rizhao Rirong Aquatic Products and is one of your suppliers, has received persons from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China under the state-imposed labor transfer program.
Public records show that, since 2021, the Department of Agriculture has awarded three procurement contracts to Bornstein Seafoods.
Can you clarify if Bornstein Seafoods sourced any product from Rizhao Rirong, or any other Chinese supplier, to fulfill any of the Department of Agriculture contracts, in full or in part? Please respond to this email by close of business July 24, 2023."