McDonald’s

Policy:Adopted a retailer safer chemicals policy

6.25 out of 23.5 points

McDonald’s has a beyond restricted substance list (BRSL) for chemicals of high concern (CHCs) in food packaging that includes bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). BPA, BPS, phthalates, and two PFAS (PFOS and PFOA) were eliminated from food packaging between 2008 and 2015. McDonald’s set a goal to eliminate by 2025 the remaining PFAS in food packaging, including containers, cups, wraps, bags for food, beverages, napkins, and cup carriers. The company receives partial credit for a partial beyond restricted material list (BRML) of expanded polystyrene foam, a plastic of environmental health concern (PEHC), in all food packaging.

The company has no public written safer chemicals policy related to toxic indirect food additives and does not have a publicly available manufacturing restricted substance list (MRSL).

Glossary of Terms

Accountability: Ensures supply chain accountability

2.5 out of 15 points

To ensure that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been eliminated from food packaging, McDonald’s stated it will “work alongside its packaging suppliers to ensure that package testing is conducted using the standard protocols for the presence of fluorine.” McDonald’s receives credit for requiring suppliers to test for fluorine in food packaging.

McDonald’s has not disclosed that it incorporates its beyond restricted substance list (BRSL) or beyond restricted material list (BRML) in supplier contracts, that it trains suppliers on the company’s BRSL or BRML, or that it conducts its own testing to ensure suppliers comply with its BRSL or BRML.

Glossary of Terms

Disclosure: Requires suppliers to report use of chemicals in products to retailer

4 out of 17.5 points

According to a January 14, 2021 Chemical Watch story about McDonald’s: “packaging and chemicals go through McDonald’s Material Transparency Stewardship Programme. This involves an assessment of the chemical composition of all packaging and evaluating against regulatory compliance, human health and environmental impacts.” Because the company appears to be making some effort around at least encouraging suppliers to disclose ingredients in packaging to McDonald’s, we award half credit relative to the 6-point level.

McDonald’s also receives extra credit for this disclosure applying to more than two major packaging categories.

Glossary of Terms

Action: Reduced or eliminated chemicals of high concern (CHCs) or plastics of environmental health concern (PEHCs) within the last three years

6 out of 26 points

In 2018, McDonald’s eliminated all food packaging made of expanded polystyrene foam, a plastic of environmental health concern (PEHC).

Glossary of Terms

Transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public disclosure

5 out of 20 points

McDonald’s beyond restricted substance list (BRSL) and partial beyond restricted material list (BRML) are public.

McDonald’s does not appear to encourage or require suppliers to publicly disclose all indirect food additives in food contact materials going beyond regulatory compliance.

Glossary of Terms