Supermarket Giant Commits to Cleaner Products & Packaging

A large supermarket company is making a commitment to greener products and packaging. Ahold Delhaize USA today announced that each of its local brands—Food Lion, Giant Food, Giant/Martin's, Hannaford, Peapod and Stop & Shop—and its US private label development company known as Retail Business Services have implemented a new sustainable chemistry commitment. Under the new according, Ahold Delhaize USA said it will restrict certain chemicals from products and packaging, work with suppliers to ensure products meet high standards for ingredients, “beyond what’s required by law today,” and collaborate with suppliers to address the root causes of contaminants. The policy applies to its own branded products many categories including laundry, home, personal care and cosmetics.

Considered together, the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise one of the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest group in the nation, with nearly 2,000 retail stores and more than 6 billion annualized online grocery orders. 

The sustainable chemistry policy that each of Ahold Delhaize USA’s companies have adopted outlines sustainable chemistry practices across three key areas—restricting chemicals of concern; verifying chemical of high priority are removed; and collaborating with suppliers to address root causes of contaminants.
 
Ahold Delhaize USA’s companies will restrict the intentional use of chemicals of concern and place chemicals of concern, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenol A (BPAs), phthalates and more on a restricted substance list for a full range of private brand products. The restricted list will cover both private brand products and food packaging for these products and work will focus on ensuring more sustainable substitutes for chemicals of concern are used. 
 
The firm will expand supplier testing requirements beginning in 2020 to confirm that priority products meet standards. 
 
In addition, Ahold Delhaize USA said it and its local brands will partner with suppliers external organizations to research and act to minimize the occurrence of potential contaminants of concern in finished products and to advance greener chemistry options. Additionally, the companies are expanding product ingredient information provided to consumers, beyond what is required by law, to support the selection of trusted brands and products.

“Consumers indicate they want more transparent products for their families, made with ingredients they can feel good about,” said Brittni Furrow, VP of sustainable retailing and healthy living for Ahold Delhaize USA. “We’re pleased to launch this new commitment, which will bring more sustainable options, free from unwanted ingredients, to neighborhood grocery stores.”
Beginning in 2020, Ahold Delhaize USA and its companies will participate in The Chemical Footprint Project.