Wegmans Takes a Stand on Products Containing BPA

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May 4, 2010

Mary Ellen Burris

Responding to customer concerns about the health and environmental concerns over Bisphenol A (BPA), Mary Ellen Burris, Wegmans’ senior vice president of consumer affairs, issue an update on the grocer’s position on her weekly blog.

BPA, a controversial chemical used since the 1950s to manufacture plastic food containers, bottles, canned foods and other household items, is raising consumer concern.

Last year, the grocer voluntarily ensured that all of its infant and toddler baby bottles, sippy cups and feeding accessories were BPA-free. “This year, we have switched all our Wegmans unbreakable drinkware to a new Tritan material (made by Eastman Chemical) that is BPA-free, tested for us by two independent laboratories, one of them in Germany. The new drinkware looks like glass, but is shatter-resistant and is dishwasher-safe,” Burris wrote.

The primary concern around BPA is potential ill effect it could have on developing fetuses, infants, and young children, though research is still inconclusive.

“When we realized that one of the primary researchers of this substance is at the University of Rochester, we met with her,” Burris said. “In March 2008, after hearing from a few concerned shoppers, we convened a roundtable panel with leading independent scientists and industry representatives to further educate ourselves about the environmental and health implications.”

BPA is also used in the linings of canned food to prevent corrosion and food contamination. “Our conversations with suppliers of can linings and receipts indicate that acceptable alternatives are not easily found, but they’re working on it,” Burris reported. “We’ll monitor this very closely.”

Wegmans has also set up a BPA information section on its web site under “news,” offering customers numerous resource links to more information and articles.

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