Congresswoman weighs in on WSJ report on tuna

starkist-tuna

Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen says the answer to the declining popularity of tuna in many Americans’ diets, highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal story, is preparation convenience and industry economic help.

KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports:

American consumers, especially younger ones, want healthier, more convenient food choices, and the Wall Street Journal report cites a 42-percent drop in per-capita canned tuna consumption over thirty years, as proof.

But Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen says tuna is not just a “core staple food,” but it’s affordable and nutritious—

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But Americans, more often now, are looking for convenience, with less bother preparing food.

Amata says StarKist and the industry key to American Samoa’s economy, is working on that front—

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StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Chicken of the Sea now sell tuna in cans, pouches, meal kits and more.

But the market is shrinking, as younger generations who favor fresher, less-processed food, turn away from canned tuna.

Radewagen says Congress has stepped in.

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StarKist tells the Wall Street Journal it’s not giving up on tuna, but like many other companies is adapting to new consumer desires.

The company started selling salmon three-years ago, and chicken in pouches, this year.