It’s not quite so easy any more for retail buyers as more and more reengineering of products take place such as the dilemma the FDA is facing regarding the genetically engineered Atlantic salmon.
Retail Buyers have always faced tough decisions. Today it is getting down right crazy. How much of a product should they buy, how much category share should a product get, what is the demand going to be for the product going forward, does the product support safety and sustainable standards. And now even tougher questions is this product what I think it is or something else entirely and will it have any kind of long term impact on my customer.
In this specific case, a company from Massachusetts wants to market a genetically engineered version of Atlantic salmon. I’m from Massachusetts and have worried for sometime about the commercial fishery in the North Atlantic. Supposedly this new salmon grows twice as fast as natures own. According to the company it is just as safe to eat as the traditional salmon.
I’m not sure what the impact is on humans and the FDA seems to be struggling with the same issue. We have been consuming engineered farm crops for years now. My question is if we approve the fish what will happen to the fisherman and what fish will be next? I know when I order scrod, scallops or other fresh seafood what it is and where it came from. More importantly I know who caught it and that is our commercial fisherman.
Buyer’s reengineered s may be coming to a store of yours soon and you need to think about how to answer your consumer’s questions.
We look forward to and appreciate your comments.
