what chemicals are in our food and household products?
Background
Pesticides, packaging materials and food additives have all come under the spotlight, with concerns raised over their potential adverse effects. These concerns include direct health and environmental effects, and the accumulation of chemicals in the environment potentially affecting the food we eat.
In many cases more research work is necessary. However, we are taking a precautionary approach, this means questioning the use of some chemicals in our products.
Our approach follows our strong policies on pesticide use. We have banned the use of a number of pesticides for The Co-operative’s produce and products, and tightened controls on others. We are continuing to develop this policy, working with farmers worldwide to improve controls, find alternative effective approaches to farming, reduce the reliance on chemical intervention and utilising more benign chemicals when required.
Our Actions
In 2001, working with a team of environmental specialists, The Co-operative prioritised a list of chemicals with the aim of removing them, or ensuring that they were not in own brand products.
We selected the chemicals for attention with reference to internationally set priorities, primarily those defined by the Convention of the Protection of the Marine Environment (OSPAR), but taking account of growing concerns about other chemicals. We will continue to review our priority list of chemicals as new information and concerns come to light.
Wider Issues
Although we can take action on many products, in some cases it is difficult for us to change things on our own. For example, concerns have been raised about a chemical used in the manufacture of food cans. As the manufacture of these cans is an international industry, it is difficult for a single retailer like The Co-operative to change the production process. In this case, we are pressing manufacturers for action, including more research into the risks and possible alternatives. We will keep our members and consumers informed of progress in these areas.
As part of our approach, The Co-operative has pledged support for the Friends of the Earth campaign, which targets key chemicals.
We will continue to keep our members, consumers and Friends of the Earth informed of the progress we are making, both directly and via our website. At the same time we will be working with manufacturers to find effective alternatives that are more benign in nature.
For more information regarding our chemical strategy click here
The Co-operative Group Position on REACH
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation EC 1907/2006 is a European regulation that came into force on 1st June 2007, the implementation of which will be phased in over an 11 year period until 2018. The Co-operative Group supports the overall principals and objectives of the regulation to further improve the protection of human health and the environment.
The Co-operative Group will ensure all its obligations under REACH are met including the provision to supply information on the use of an SVHC (substance of very high concern) within an article as identified by REACH.
The Co-operative Group is also working with its suppliers to ensure they fulfil their obligations under REACH including the possible restriction and substitution of substances.
Supplier Information
As part of our legal obligations under the Detergents Directive, we are required to publish information on the internet with ingredients lists and allergen information. Our suppliers have signed up to publish the information on the products that they supply to us. Use these links for information on the following: Detergent information, Detergent regulations, Consumer information, composition, Safety aspects, Product information, Data sheets, Health professionals, Ingredient lists, MSDS sheets, Household products, Regulation (EC) no 648/2004, Ingredient datasheet, COSHH, Cleaning, Chemicals, Cleaners.
For The Co-operative Multi-Surface Polish visit www.infoproductonline.com
For The Co-operative Blue Toilet Flush, Liquid Rim and 3 in 1 Bleach Rim Block visit www.ukproductinfo.com/co-op.
For the co-operative Antibacterial floor wipe, Antibacterial Multi-Surface Wipes and flushable Bathroom and Toilet Wipes visit http://www.wipesdirect.co.uk/
For The Co-operative All-in-1 dishwasher tablets, Dishwasher Powder Lemon, Dishwasher Rinse Aid, Antibacterial Washing-Up Liquid Lime, Antibacterial Washing-Up Liquid Mint, Ecological Washing-Up Liquid, Concentrated Washing-Up Liquid Original, Concentrated Washing-Up Liquid Lemon, Clean and Care Washing-Up Liquid Aloe Vera, Clean and Care Washing-Up Liquid Almond, Concentrated Laundry Liquid bio, Concentrated Laundry Liquid non bio, Concentrated Laundry Liquid colour and Wool and silk hand wash, visit www.coop.detergent-info.com.
For all other products visit www.detergentinfo.com.