The retailer has committed to eliminating the use of eyestalk ablation across its own-label prawn supply chain by the end of 2027, instead moving to the use of electrical stunning.
This follows work by the Iceland technical team with suppliers to build a transition plan that “maintains product quality, protects affordability for customers and supports practical improvements in farming standards”.
Eyestalk ablation involves the removal of one or both eyestalks from a crustacean, a practice that sparked a protest outside an Iceland store last month, organised by the International Council for Animal Welfare.
The news follows a previous announcement by Iceland in which it committed to expanding its range of Aquaculture Stewardship Council labelled seafood and promised that all of its own-label whole prawn products would be ASC-certified by the end of 2026.
With the announcement, Iceland said it has joined Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Co-Op, Waitrose and M&S in raising prawn welfare standards.
“We’re proud of the steps we’ve already taken to improve welfare in our seafood sourcing, but we know that prawn welfare is an area of wide concern and industry focus, with much progress now in place across many businesses,” said Stuart Lendrum, director of product, packaging and sustainability at Iceland.
“That means eliminating eyestalk ablation and integrating electrical stunning in a way that is practical, science-led and supports long-term supplier partnerships, while continuing to provide quality, affordable food for families across the country.
“We’re pleased that our suppliers are backing this direction, and that we are now on a clear path to eliminate ablation with the majority of this delivered in 2026 and to integrate electrical stunning across our own-label prawn range by the end of 2027.”
In related news, Iceland recently announced plans to pilot the sale of RSPCA assured ‘barn eggs’ in 35 stores from 3 July.
