Amazon sued by consumers over seafood sustainability claims

Amazon.com is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in the United States over claims that it misled consumers by overstating the environmental sustainability of seafood sold on its platform.

The lawsuit, filed on Friday in a federal court in Seattle, alleges that Amazon engaged in “greenwashing” by using labels such as “dolphin safe,” “responsibly sourced,” “sustainable,” “wild caught,” and “MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood,” giving shoppers the impression that the products had minimal environmental impact.

The plaintiffs argue that these claims are misleading because many fishing vessels are not publicly monitored, while others conceal their locations by switching off tracking devices known as transponders. They also contend that at least 20% of imported wild-caught seafood is not sourced responsibly or sustainably.

According to the complaint, Amazon promotes seafood products with broad environmental claims without providing sufficient information to prevent consumers from being misled.

Amazon, headquartered in Seattle, is the second-largest grocery retailer in the United States, recording more than $150 billion in gross grocery sales in 2025, according to Chief Executive Andy Jassy.

The company had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication. Amazon frequently faces legal action over products sold through its online marketplace, including those offered by third-party sellers.

The lawsuit covers dozens of tuna, salmon and other seafood products sold under brands such as Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, and Amazon’s own 365 by Whole Foods Market label.

The lead plaintiffs, Madeleine Rogow of Los Angeles and Adam Sorkin of Chicago, claim they would either not have purchased the seafood or would have paid less for it had they known the true nature of its sourcing.

They are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as restitution, on behalf of consumers across the United States under Washington state’s consumer protection laws.

The parent companies of Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea and StarKist—FCF of Taiwan, Thai Union Group of Thailand and South Korea’s Dongwon Industries—have not been named as defendants in the lawsuit.