COOP DANMARK’S WORK WITH FOOD PACKAGING AND CHEMICALS€¦ · Food Packaging Forum – Workshop 2015 Louisa Raith Sørensen Quality and CSR Consultant . Agenda • Brief introduction

COOP DANMARK’S WORK WITH FOOD PACKAGING AND CHEMICALS

Food Packaging Forum – Workshop 2015

Louisa Raith Sørensen

Quality and CSR Consultant

Agenda

• Brief introduction to Coop Danmark

• Coop’s strategy regarding chemicals

• Case: fluorinated substances

• Case: bisphenol A

• Recapitulation and concluding comments

Coop is Denmark’s largest retail enterprise.

Coop has approximately 38,000 employees in total and approximately 1200 shops.

Coop is a cooperative and can trace its roots back to the cooperative movement in

the late 19th century.

About Coop

Social Responsibility Then and Now

Central-laboratoriet

1896 1900 1928 1976 1983 2001 2015

http://www.google.dk/url?url=http://carrotstick.dk/svanemaerket/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=zYVgVIWtMsXyPK37gcgK&ved=0CCMQ9QEwBw&sig2=NdjcZU3uSWIbCdW_RTjErA&usg=AFQjCNGna4WxP4YtZPr05f4E0E1-YImz5w

https://www.google.dk/url?url=https://plus.google.com/+Astma-allergiDk&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=YoZgVP6XLMfyOPbOgJAC&ved=0CC0Q9QEwDA&sig2=ZyZyVG61ykFVZD_UZYIDpw&usg=AFQjCNHBzXjeHzjmtUSebmcDOABxdQxqXg

http://www.google.dk/url?url=http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/downloads/logo/index_en.htm&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=WMdkVJCgBer8ywPx5IKgBw&ved=0CBUQ9QEwAA&sig2=2gs85txPkXIBD2ScCkmFew&usg=AFQjCNHUfBkjrrRgcVNUDCZtiug5QbbDFg

Coop’s Chemical Strategy

Case: Fluorinated Substances

• Concerned Scientists – Helsingor statement.

• Increased media focus.

• Urgent action needed.

• In September 2014: Coop decided to ban the substances.

http://www.google.dk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCKf4n5ryo8gCFYmILAoddyIHqA&url=http://www.poker.co.uk/pokerstars-hands-down-lifetime-ban-to-high-stakes-player/&bvm=bv.104317490,d.bGQ&psig=AFQjCNHvq2ljL7jkeRmzavymPZ9a3jPlNA&ust=1443878888228669


• Detection of all risk products.

• Phase out and substitution.

• One big challenge

• Microwave popcorn.

http://www.google.dk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCO2fpNT0o8gCFYxZLAodJ98FnA&url=http://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/samfund/forbrugerraadet-alle-mikroovns-popcorn-er-giftige/5619471&psig=AFQjCNGmuZpo3m1Gw8SyHrthzcupL6DV0g&ust=1443879556984450


Case: Bisphenol A

• Prohibited in food contact materials intended for 0-3 year olds.

• Danish Food Authorities does not support EFSAs Opinion on BPA.

• The authorities encourage companies and industry to reduce the use of BPA in order to reduce the exposure.

• Coop Danmark’s approach.

• Alternatives and innovation.

http://www.google.dk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCKXEz6-ApMgCFUdaLAodu0cCnQ&url=http://www.bisphenol-a-europe.org/en_GB/what-is-bisphenol-a&psig=AFQjCNFI0S_Oy-j1SgZSDkYXWyVyX8bcAg&ust=1443882696198684

Recapitulation and Concluding Comments

• Coop has a proud tradition within CSR. It comes naturally to us to work with chemical safety and to have a Chemical Strategy.

• In a world of powerful industries and where legislation can be several of years in the making we need responsible companies and retailers.

• We have several business cases that show that it makes sense – also economically – to take responsible action and even withdraw products from our shelves.

• In general we have experienced that being responsible can be a competitive advantage.

MANY THANKS FOR LISTENING!

COOP DANMARK’S WORK WITH FOOD PACKAGING AND CHEMICALS€¦ · Food Packaging Forum – Workshop 2015 Louisa Raith Sørensen Quality and CSR Consultant . Agenda • Brief introduction

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