Starbucks promises global stores will phase out food packaging containing PFAS by the end of 2023

On March 15, Starbucks announced a ban on perfluorinated chemicals, promising to eliminate packaging containing PFAS chemicals in Starbucks in the United States by the end of this year and eliminate PFAS packaging in global stores by the end of 2023. Starbucks' announcement comes years after Toxic-Free Future launched its Mind the Store campaign, which aims to phase out PFAS in retail food packaging.

PFAS is often used as a chemical to strengthen paper containers, which can effectively block water and oil from food, and its cost is low.

PFAS is a perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compound, and it is an artificial chemical. Because most of PFAS does not decompose, it can even wander in water and air for thousands of years. With the passage of time, it accumulates in the environment, animals and human beings, posing a serious threat to health. Even so, PFAS chemicals are often used in our daily life, including food packaging, such as takeout containers are the most common.

In August 2020, foreign media reported that PFAS was found in food packaging of McDonald's, Burger King and other major fast food restaurants. Subsequently, McDonald's and McDonald's China successively responded that there was no addition in China.

Many studies have shown that PFAS is associated with a series of health problems, such as renal and testicular cancer, liver and thyroid diseases, reproductive problems, hypertension caused by pregnancy, low birth weight, increased risk of birth defects, immune system effects and so on.

The PFAS-related ban is part of Starbucks' broader sustainable packaging strategy, which also includes the use of Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper. With Starbucks'in-depth implementation of the "sustainable" strategy, further optimization of disposable packaging, replacing disposable packaging with "reusable" packaging, is expected to eliminate PFAS; in all food packaging in US stores by the end of this year and PFAS in all food packaging in global stores by 2023. Starbucks has more than 15000 stores in the United States and more than 34000 stores worldwide.

After Starbucks announced the elimination of PFAS, the drug-free future issued a statement saying it is very pleased that Starbucks has joined the campaign and is committed to protecting its customers from PFAS, which may harm human health.

Starbucks previously received an F rating in 2018, 2019 and 2021 retailer reports, which are based on benchmark tests of retailers' chemical safety policies and implementation plans.

PFAS is widely used because of its low cost. Because of the serious threat to the environment and human health, Starbucks, Tims, McDonald's and other brands have made a commitment to eliminate PFAS. In order to achieve this arduous task, some researchers are trying to find alternatives. Among them, PBS can also have a good oil-proof effect, but the cost of using PBS is as much as five times that of PFAS.

Starbucks eliminated PFAS as well as disposable cups. Although the existence of disposable products provides convenience for human life, it has brought indelible harm to the environment and health. So, when you go out for coffee, you'd better bring your own cup.

Photo Source: Internet

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