Correspondence
Email sent to the contact address for Riberalves.
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 companies engaged in such practices and your supply chain – Donggang Jinhui Foodstuff and Donggang Haimeng Foodstuff. We have uncovered evidence that Donggang Jinhui and Dandong Haimeng have used North Korean labor after the December 2019 deadline for the repatriation of overseas North Korean workers required under United Nations Security Council sanctions. This evidence shows the presence of North Korean labor at factories in Liaoning, China, belonging to each of the companies, as recently as 2023. According to our research, Donggang Jinhui has supplied salted fish to Riberalves. Additionally, according to trade data seen by The Outlaw Ocean Project, Riberalves was the consignee for over five shipments of seafood products from Dandong Haimeng since September 2021. While we understand that you may not be aware of the above issues, does Riberalves have any comment to make in response to this email? Can you confirm if any seafood supplied to Riberalves by Donggang Jinhui or Dandong Haimeng has been sold through ALDI Portugal?"
The Outlaw Ocean Project emailed: "As we hadn't heard back from you on this, we wanted to check in and see if you have any comment to make at this time? To clarify: The second supply company in question is called Donggang Haimeng Foodstuff, based in Dandong City, Liaoning, China. "
The Outlaw Ocean Project emailed: "As we haven’t heard back from you on this, we wanted to loop around one more time to make sure you saw our query. Our work will be published in Portugal by Público and, if you have a statement or comment to make in response to our query, we will need it before close of business on February 22, 2024."