On December 9, 2020, the Food Packaging Forum (FPF) published a new database containing initiatives and commitments by brands and retailers to voluntarily improve the chemical safety and resource efficiency of the food contact materials (FCMs) and articles (FCAs) they use. There has recently been a global increase in efforts by food brands and retailers to address growing consumer concerns about the presence of hazardous chemicals in food packaging as well as the environmental pollution caused by packaging waste. However, details about these efforts are spread across many different websites and reports, making them difficult to find and keep track of. To make this information more accessible to all stakeholders, the Food Packaging Forum has set up a new database to bring together key information about these efforts into a user-friendly and searchable format.
The online database currently contains summary information about initiatives and commitments from over 250 different companies and associations around the world that operate food brands (including food manufactures) and retailers (including stores, restaurants, and caterers). Links to FPF summary articles and external websites are provided to point readers towards more detailed information. The database serves as a factual resource that helps to recognize the progressive steps being taken by leading companies. It also provides a starting place for concerned consumers, civil society organizations, and government agencies to learn about packaging initiatives and commitments from the brands and retailers they engage with.
More information about the methodology used to develop and curate the database, as well as a fully searchable version of all included data is available on the database’s website. The database is intended to be a living resource that will improve and expand over time, and stakeholders are invited to suggest additional entries by completing an online form.
Reference
Food Packaging Forum (2020). “Brand and Retailer Initiatives Database.”
