Hannaford to restrict toxic chemicals in food packaging, beauty products

Courtesy / Hannaford Hannaford Supermarkets will curtail the use of some toxic chemicals in its food packaging and beauty products, the grocery chain's parent company said Thursday.

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By Renee Cordes

Hannaford Supermarkets parent company Ahold Delhaize on Thursday said it will restrict the use of toxic chemicals in its food packaging and beauty products, joining a growing number of retailers across the country that have taken similar measures.

The move comes after the Dutch supermarket conglomerate received a failing grade two years in a row on a national report card of large retailers' chemicals programs. The annual report, "Who's Minding the Store?" is put out by Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a Washington, D.C.-based coalition of organizations and businesses seeking to transform the country's chemical safety system.

Ahold Delzhaize's new sustainable chemistry commitment restricts toxic chemicals — including PFAS (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances), phthalates, and BPA (bisphenol-A) — from its products. The policy applies to Ahold Delhaize stores' own branded products in a number of categories including baby food, infant formula, cosmetics, and laundry and personal care items.

The change follows years of advocacy by the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition and the Portland-based Environmental Health Strategy Center, a founding and leading member of the coalition.

"We look forward to the company taking the next step — publicly disclosing its full list of chemicals of concern, and outlining a clear public timeline to reduce and eliminate these chemicals from both its private-label and brand name products," said Mike Belliveau, executive director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, in a statement.

Ahold Delhaize's move also follows the recent passage of LD 1433, Maine’s precedent-setting law phasing out PFAS and phthalates in food packaging, and a 2018 federal ban on PFAS in food packaging.

Reaction from E2Tech

Martin Grohman, executive director of the Environmental and Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech), welcomed Hannaford's announcement.

"E2Tech members share a commitment to a better future for Maine business and for our planet," he told Mainebiz via email. "We convened a well-attended forum on PFAS in May and our members have been tracking these chemicals of concern, which are typically used to impart water or stain resistance, closely. Data regarding health effects on humans is limited, but the available information indicates caution is appropriate."

Grohman added that alternatives are actively being sought for many applications, and that the group recognizes Hannaford and other leading national retailers, including Home Depot, "for taking the initiative to reduce exposure to and study the sustainability of such chemistries."