Subsidiaries of Metro
- Brunet
- Drug Basics
- Food Basics
- Jean Coutu
- Marché Richelieu
- Super C
- The Pharmacy
Key Findings
- Despite substantial public attention to toxic indirect food additives, including PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols, and to toxic chemicals in other products as well as to plastics of environmental health concern, there is no indication that Metro has made any significant public-facing commitments to address the safety of chemicals used in the products it sells, including any indirect food additives that may be in food contact materials.
Recommendations for Metro
- Metro can make progress by developing a public written safer chemicals policy, developing and enforcing a public beyond restricted substance list (BRSL), and setting public quantifiable goals with clear timelines for reducing and eliminating chemicals of high concern (CHCs) and/or plastics of environmental health concern (PEHCs), starting with, but not limited to, its product lines Selection and Irresistibles.
- We urge the company to eliminate and safely replace any toxic indirect food additives that may be in food contact materials, with special attention to any bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that may be in food packaging and other food contact materials as well as any phthalates that may be in food and food contact materials in its supply chain. The company should also evaluate its Packaging and Printed Materials Management Policy and set clear goals for eliminating PEHCs such as polystyrene from its product and packaging materials and remove any and all bisphenols, including BPA and BPS, from thermal paper receipts. Metro should publicly disclose the alternatives used to replace CHCs or PEHCs after eliminating them.
- The company should become a signatory to the Chemical Footprint Project and pilot it with key private label suppliers. Metro should also require that fragrance ingredients are disclosed online or on the label of personal care and cleaning products and should take steps to ensure supply chain accountability.
Grade History
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How does Metro compare to its competitors?
Analysis of Metro
Oversight: Established management responsibilities and incentives
Disclosure: Requires suppliers to report use of chemicals in products to retailer
Action: Reduced or eliminated chemicals of high concern (CHCs) or plastics of environmental health concern (PEHCs) within the last three years
Safer Alternatives: Evaluates safer alternatives, avoids regrettable substitutes
Transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public disclosure
Third-party Standards: Promotes credible third-party standards for safer products
Extra Credit:
Joint Announcement: Public commitment demonstrated through joint announcement
Continuous Improvement: Shows continuous improvement by steadily expanding safer chemicals policy
Collaboration: Actively participates in collaborative process to promote safer chemicals
Impact Investment: Investing financial resources into independent research into safer alternatives and/or green chemistry solutions