Home » Walmart Asks Suppliers To Eliminate Toxic Chemicals From Products

Walmart Asks Suppliers To Eliminate Toxic Chemicals From Products

Last updated on July 22nd, 2016 at 09:28 am

On July 20, Walmart identified the “high priority” chemicals it has been asking suppliers to eliminate over the past three years. Those ingredients include triclosan, formaldehyde and butylparaben, among others. Products containing these ingredients include household cleaners, personal care, baby products, and beauty items.

In a statement released July 20, Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart said the chemicals that made the list contain certain properties that can affect human health or environment. Since asking suppliers to remove these chemicals in 2013, Walmart says its suppliers have had a 95 percent success rate.

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families’ Mind the Store campaign has been challenging big retailers like Walmart to eliminate and substitute toxic chemicals.

Mike Schade, Mind the Store campaign director, said: “We congratulate Walmart for finally disclosing the list of ‘high priority’ chemicals that it has been challenging suppliers to eliminate, which includes certain phthalates, formaldehyde and triclosan. We also congratulate Walmart and its suppliers for achieving a reduction of these chemicals by 95 percent.

“This is an important milestone, but the company shouldn’t stop there. Walmart should expand its list of ‘high priority’ chemicals to address other dangerous chemicals that scientists and doctors have linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and brain damage. We challenge other leading retailers to join Walmart in tackling these unnecessary toxic chemicals.

“Big retailers like Walmart have the power to transform the marketplace and bring safer products into the hands of consumers across the world. Even with recent reforms, government actions aren’t going to keep pace with the urgency of the health threats posed by toxic chemicals, so more action like this is urgently needed from leading retailers.”

Walmart’s statement indicated the list was limited to eight chemicals in order to focus on meaningful progress with this initiative.

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