In a press release published on January 9, 2020, U.S. fast food chain Taco Bell has announced a new set of packaging commitments that will be applied globally to all of its locations. The chain has pledged to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, bisphenol A (CAS 80-07-5) from all of its “consumer-facing” packaging. No mention is made of changes to other packaging or equipment used within the restaurants that may contain the substances, such as bulk food packaging or processing and serving equipment. The commitment says that “by 2025, in Taco Bell restaurants across the globe, the brand aims to make all consumer-facing packaging recyclable, compostable or reusable… PFAS, Phthalates and BPA will be removed from all consumer-facing packaging materials.”
The non-governmental organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families reports that Taco Bell is the fourth largest fast food chain in the U.S., and that its parent company also owns the popular restaurant chains Pizza Hut and KFC. Neither of these other two chains are reported to have announced similar commitments.
Read More
Taco Bell (January 9, 2020). “Taco Bell rings in 2020 with bold new commitments.”
Safer Chemicals Healthy Families (January 10, 2020). “Taco Bell to phase out toxic chemicals in food packaging.”
Leigh Stringer (January 14, 2020). “US food chain Taco Bell to phase out PFAS, phthalates and BPA.” Chemical Watch
Lauren Stine (January 13, 2020). “Taco Bell wants compostable, recyclable packaging by 2025.” Restaurant Dive
