Master
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 23 October 2026 · 6 sources
Philippine canned sardine brand of Universal Canning Inc. in Zamboanga.
Master can't show that the workers who make its products in the Philippines earn a living wage, which workers there are very unlikely to.
Also worth knowing
It has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags: no evidence of a living wage, a hidden, unaudited supply chain in high-risk countries and fish and seafood it can't trace to the boat or farm. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in the Philippines, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: Traces its catch to the boat or farm and has crews' or farm workers' conditions checked independently
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
- Red flag: Relies on fish and seafood it can't trace to the boat or farmShown to explain the grade. It isn't one of the 2 red flags that set it.
- Red flag: Fails its category's raw-material check (means Lacks transparency)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Master says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: fishing fleets and processing plants have some of the worst documented forced labour, including trafficked crews held at sea for years.
- Relies on fish and seafood from fishing boats and farms, where crews and farm workers, often migrants recruited into debt, have been held for months or years, beaten and denied pay, out of reach of factory audits. It hasn't shown any steps to trace its fish and seafood to the boat or farm or have the conditions of the people who catch or farm it checked, so it's graded Lacks transparency until it does.
Research notes Master sardines, mackerel and tuna are made by Universal Canning Inc. of Zamboanga City, which also makes Family's Brand, Atami and Mikado sardines and exports to Asia, North America and the Middle East. The company says its sardines come from Philippine waters and local fishermen, but it publishes no vessel list, crew checks, supplier list or modern slavery statement, and names no MSC or labour certification. Zamboanga's sardine canneries employ thousands of workers. Grounds: southern Philippine waters.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| US Department of Labor goods lists | Listed | The US Department of Labor's 2024 List of Goods names fish from the Philippines as produced with child labour. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- 2024 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor (US Department of Labor) · search the archive · Fish from the Philippines listed as produced with child labour
- Master Sardines in Tomato Sauce (IFEX Connect, Universal Canning Inc) · search the archive · Master sardines from Universal Canning, source Zamboanga; FDA and EU approvals; exports to Asia, North America, Middle East
- Family sardines maker bullish on exports (GMA News, 2008) · search the archive · Universal Canning's plant is in Ayala, Zamboanga City
- Sardine canners eye eastern Europe mart (Edge Davao, 2010) · search the archive · Universal Canning among Zamboanga export canneries; industry provides over 10,000 direct jobs
Published by Master or its owner
- Universal Canning Inc. home page · search the archive · Universal Canning brands: Family's Brand Sardines, Master Sardines, Master Tuna, Atami and Mikado Sardines
- About Us (Universal Canning Inc.) · search the archive · Sardines from Philippine waters, working with local fishermen; no certification named
Company details
- Owned by
- Universal Canning Inc.
- Headquarters
- Philippines
- Last researched
- 23 October 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Master ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/master-sardines, last researched 23 October 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Other canned and pouched fish brands
Nothing we've rated in canned and pouched fish is better than Lacks transparency yet.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Master.