Nearly 17 retailers in Canada and the United States, including McDonald’s, Subway and Alimentation Couche-Tard, received an F grade for failing in their efforts to protect consumers from dangerous chemicals and plastics in their products.
According to the Retailer Report Card’s 2024 Retailer Report, released Thursday by Toxic Free Future, the 50 largest retailers in the United States and Canada received an average grade of D+.
These retailers have allegedly failed to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the products they sell by reducing the use of toxic chemicals and harmful plastics, the report says.
Of these, 17 received an F rating, including McDonald’s, Subway and Alimentation Couche-Tard, placing them in the report’s “Toxic Hall of Shame” category.
Here are some restaurant giants with failing grades
- McDonald’s
- Chipotle
- Subway
- KFC
- Taco Bell
- Pizza Hut
- Dunkin’
Other retailers received a failing grade, such as the Canadian supermarket chain Sobeys, the 7-Eleven supermarket, the Canadian convenience store chain Alimentation Couche-Tard, Publix and Trader Joe’s.
Only five companies among the 50 retailers received an A or A- rating. These include Apple, Sephora, Target and Walmart.
Three other companies, including Ulta Beauty, IKEA and Whole Foods Market, received a B grade, while 26 others received C and D grades.
Ignorance among retailers
While 56% of retailers indicated they were committed to avoiding the use of chemicals and plastics of concern, the results of the 2024 report prove the opposite.
The report also noted ignorance among retailers, specifying that 54% of them do not ask suppliers for information on product ingredients or packaging.
Not knowing what chemicals or plastics are used will make it impossible for them to assess the dangers.
Restaurant chains and dollar stores rank lowest among the retail sectors assessed.
