Retailer Report Card 2021

F

Subway

Grade
F
Points
9.5
Out of 164
Rank
42
Out of 50

Key Findings

  • Subway receives credit for a BRSL for cleaning products used in all restaurants.
  • Despite substantial public attention to toxic indirect food additives, including PFAS, phthalates and bisphenols as well as to plastics of environmental health concern (PEHCs), there is no indication that Subway is taking action to address these challenges.

Recommendations for Subway

  • Subway can make progress by developing a public written safer chemicals policy covering any toxic indirect food additives that may be in food contact materials, addressing at least bisphenols, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and phthalates.
  • We urge the company to set public quantifiable goals with clear timelines to eliminate and safely replace both PEHCs in its packaging and any toxic indirect food additives that may be in food contact materials. Subway should also publicly disclose the alternatives used to replace chemicals of high concern (CHCs), after eliminating them.
  • The company should become a signatory to the Chemical Footprint Project and pilot it with key private-label suppliers.

Grade History

2018
F
2019
F
2021
F
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How does Subway compare to its competitors?

Restaurants

Analysis of Subway

= Excellent
= Some action
= No action

Policy:Adopted a retailer safer chemicals policy

2.5 out of 23.5 points

Oversight: Established management responsibilities and incentives

0 out of 5 points

Accountability: Ensures supply chain accountability

0 out of 15 points

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

0 out of 17.5 points

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

0 out of 26 points

Safer Alternatives: Evaluates safer alternatives, avoids regrettable substitutes

0 out of 16 points

Transparency: Demonstrates a commitment to transparency and public disclosure

2.5 out of 20 points

Chemical Footprint: Evaluates its chemical footprint

0 out of 7.5 points

Third-party Standards: Promotes credible third-party standards for safer products

4.5 out of 8.5 points

Extra Credit:

Joint Announcement: Public commitment demonstrated through joint announcement

0 out of 5 points

Continuous Improvement: Shows continuous improvement by steadily expanding safer chemicals policy

0 out of 10 points

Collaboration: Actively participates in collaborative process to promote safer chemicals

0 out of 5 points

Impact Investment: Investing financial resources into independent research into safer alternatives and/or green chemistry solutions

0 out of 5 points