Is Aldi Salmon Actually Wild Caught?

Folks have become increasingly mindful about where their food comes from, opting for what they deem to be the healthiest and most sustainable choices. From buying canned tuna with the little blue fish on the label to seeking out grass-fed beef, more and more people are carefully selecting which proteins they bring home from the supermarket. Similarly, wild-caught salmon is a popular choice for seafood lovers. Those searching for it in Aldi can rest assured that wild salmon is available at the discount grocer — but you need to check the label carefully.

While some salmon options at Aldi are sourced from the wild, not all are. Given the fact that wild-caught fish is typically considered a superior product, companies distributing it aren't going to be shy about advertising that on the front of the package. Just a quick look at the various salmon options from Aldi reveals that some seafood is proudly emblazoned with the term "Wild Caught," whereas on other products, that term is nowhere to be found.

Still, that doesn't necessarily mean the other seafood items should be avoided. Despite farm-raised salmon being banned in certain countries over environmental and health concerns, not all farm-raised fish is problematic. They can be raised sustainably and may even have a slight nutritional leg up on wild-caught salmon.

Although many people think wild-caught salmon is the best option, this is not always the case. Nutritionally, there isn't a big difference between the two, though farm-raised salmon does typically contain more omega-3 fatty acids. On the flip side, it also contains more saturated fat.

Each sourcing method has potential sustainability issues. With ocean seafood populations on the decline over-fishing is a common concern. Likewise, salmon caught in the wild using certain fishing techniques like large netting systems can produce bycatch – inadvertently catching other species while fishing for salmon — that can negatively impact ocean environments.

Farm-raised seafood has its own potential problems. Antibiotics and fertilizers can leak into the areas where the fish are being raised, also affecting ocean habitats. Independent third parties like Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) routinely audit farm-raised commercial endeavors to ensure they are operating sustainably in an attempt to limit the impact on the surrounding environment. You can find the BAP-certified logo on some of Aldi's farm-raised salmon.

Of course, cost factors into nearly every decision folks make in the supermarket. Typically, wild-caught fish comes with a higher price tag. However, this isn't always the case at Aldi. The store is known for its cheap deals on fish, and the price of wild-caught salmon is sometimes actually less than its farm-raised counterpart. With both wild-caught and farm-raised salmon options available at Aldi for a reasonable price, the choice comes down to personal preference.