Starting with the company’s fresh pack production in 2016, which runs from May to October, all Del Monte fruit and tomato products, and nearly 100% of vegetable products found under the Del Monte brand will convert to non-BPA linings.
154 products in total
Nils Lommerin, CEO, Del Monte Foods, said the move, which will represent a majority of the company’s products, comes as a direct response towards meeting the preferences of consumers.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant progression for the brand,” he said.
“These actions reflect our ongoing commitment to providing high quality fruit, vegetables and tomatoes, and meeting evolving consumer preferences.
“Our non-GMO and non-BPA milestones are the direct result of great dedication and major contributions from many people inside Del Monte as well as our suppliers and other partners.”
Speaking to FoodQualityNews about the decision, Jane Muncke, MD, Food Packaging Forum, Zurich, said there seems to be a kind of push now towards replacing chemicals of concern like BPA from food packaging.
“It has taken a long time for most companies to respond to such consumer demands. But BPA-replacements should be carefully chosen as to not end up with new chemicals of concern,” she added.
“Getting substitution right is tricky. Green chemistry can be a useful approach. But, it’s essential not to wait too long when a new chemical of concern emerges.”
Campbell Soup Company
In 2016, all added ingredients in Del Monte vegetables, fruit cups and most tomato products will be non-GMO, representing a majority of its product line (154 products in total).
According to Lommerin, Del Monte began the process of verifying non-GMO ingredients from suppliers, and sourcing replacement non-GMO ingredients last year.
It also labeled 70 vegetable and tomato products as non-GMO.
Campbell Soup Company announced this week it was switching to cans which do not use Bisphenol A (BPA) linings by the middle of 2017.
The company began using cans with linings made from acrylic or polyester materials in March 2016 and will continue to introduce the linings across its US and Canadian portfolio through 2017.
Products that will be packaged in non-BPA lined cans include Campbell’s soups and gravies, Swanson broth and SpaghettiOs pasta.
Lommerin said the conversion to non-BPA packaging and non-GMO ingredients mark the latest developments in Del Monte’s Quality Journey, ‘a multidimensional initiative encompassing product and packaging innovation, strategic partnerships, sustainability programs and improved farming practices.’
Del Monte Foods is a producer, distributor and marketer of branded food products for the US retail market, generating approximately $1.7bn in net sales in fiscal 2015.
The company also produces and distributes private label food products.