Panera Bread

Policy:Adopted a retailer safer chemicals policy

7.5 out of 23.5 points

Panera Bread has a public safer chemicals policy that includes a beyond restricted substances list (BRSL) for to-go food packaging that includes PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols. Panera Bread has eliminated PFAS in most to-go food packaging, including baguette paper as of June 2020, and prohibits PFAS in all new packaging. Panera’s medium loaf and cookie bags will be converted to PFAS-free paper in 2021, so partial credit is awarded for a quantifiable goal for minor packaging category. The company is also working on a new design brief for molded fiber bowls to be introduced in 2021-2022.

The company’s safer chemicals policy also applies to its operations, as the company restricts chemicals used in cleaning products, including VOCs, phosphorus, and fragrance. Panera Bread receives partial credit for a beyond restricted material list (BRML) consisting of one plastic of environmental health concern (PEHC), PVC in disposable gloves.

Panera Bread does not have a publicly available manufacturing restricted substance list (MRSL) and its safer chemicals policy applies only to U.S. locations, which are 88% of all Panera cafes. The company has not set public quantifiable goals and timelines for eliminating other chemicals of concern from products and packaging.

Glossary of Terms

Oversight: Established management responsibilities and incentives

2.5 out of 5 points

Panera Bread has assigned a member of senior management, the Vice President of Food Values, Sustainability and Public Affairs, with responsibility for its safer chemicals policy. Panera’s 2015-2016 Responsibility Report states: “We have a dedicated corporate responsibility team that is charged with managing our overall responsibility strategy, responsibility reporting and stakeholder engagement. This same team drives cross-functional initiatives on key environmental, animal welfare and philanthropy programs. In addition, subject matter experts across the company share accountability for driving other responsibility initiatives, such as our focus on health and wellness, clean ingredients and sustainable packaging, among others.”

Panera Bread notes that “senior leaders are held accountable for responsibility metrics in the same way they are for general business performance.” However, it is not clear if these metrics are tied to financial incentives.

Glossary of Terms

Accountability: Ensures supply chain accountability

5 out of 15 points

Panera Bread noted that “[s]uppliers must sign that they are in compliance with our [B]RSL,” so credit is awarded for supplier contract requirements. As part of the product approval process that occurs with every new product and any production changes, Panera uses third-party lab testing to validate compliance with the BRSL.

Although the company stated that it assesses packaging materials for compliance with its BRSL, Panera Bread has not specifically disclosed that it trains suppliers on the company’s safer chemicals policy, BRSL, partial BRML, or reporting requirements.

Glossary of Terms

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

7 out of 17.5 points

In October 2019, Panera Bread staff noted to us: “For to-go packaging, we review all intentionally added substances including generic ingredients. Suppliers must sign that they are in compliance with our RSL and submit a list of all ingredients.” The company also works with an external consultant whose staff “review all intentionally added ingredients as well as evaluate reactions between chemicals in their review for packaging safety.” This includes third party lab testing of all packaging for chemicals of concern. Panera Bread receives extra credit for more than two major categories of packaging because to-go packaging includes multiple packaging products, such as hot and cold beverage, bakery, soup and food, coffee boxes, and other containers.

The company does not require known impurities in packaging to be reported, and it does not appear that it reviews the specific components of generic ingredients. Panera Bread’s disclosure requirements only apply to “all of our to-go packaging” (e.g., own-brand) and not “packaged foods from other vendors.”

Glossary of Terms

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

7.75 out of 26 points

Panera Bread reported in 2020 that the company mostly eliminated PFAS from to-go food packaging. As part of this transition, Panera Bread switched its baguette bag to PFAS-free paper as of June 2020. The company also eliminated one plastic of environmental health concern (PEHC) in operations. Panera Bread reported in 2019 that they eliminated PVC gloves and moved to polyethylene gloves (that are free of phthalates).

Glossary of Terms

Safer Alternatives: Evaluates safer alternatives, avoids regrettable substitutes

2 out of 16 points

Panera Bread expresses a clear preference for safer alternatives to PFAS chemicals in food packaging through its work with external stakeholders and suppliers. Regarding elimination of PFAS in to-go packaging, Panera Bread notes: “For the few outstanding items, we are working with vendors to develop new formulations where alternatives are not readily available or switching to entirely new packaging formats.” Panera Bread also reports: “Please note that we also have a firm commitment to ensure that no new packaging introductions contain PFAS.”

Glossary of Terms

Transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public disclosure

2.5 out of 20 points

Panera Bread indicates that it has a BRSL related to food packaging, but has not publicly disclosed the complete BRSL. The company receives partial credit for disclosing that PFAS, bisphenols, and phthalates are some of the substances restricted in its food packaging. Panera Bread has disclosed its “No No List” of prohibited direct food additives, but that is not relevant for the purposes of this report card.

Panera Bread 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