E. Leclerc decides to eliminate carcinogenic packaging in 2017
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With more than 44.3 billion euros in turnover and 110,000 employees, E. Leclerc is today one of the largest retail chains in France. This merchant cooperative excels in its field, ahead of all competitors with a market share of 20.2%. In a statement, the sign reveals that « these figures are a reflection of the confidence shown by consumers to the brand and the fruit of strategic biases in line with customer expectations. » So today, E. Leclerc is part of his new project which is his commitment to the elimination of carcinogenic packaging for 2017.
In early 2016, the French branch of the NGO Foodwatch challenged E. Leclerc on the subject of packaging of the brand. Indeed, the Foodwatch study found that recycled fiber packaging cartons with 58 food references showed the presence of hydrocarbons (MOAH – mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons, and MOSH – mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons). The presence of hydrocarbons can be harmful to health and can potentially increase the chances of certain cancers.
As a result, Scamark, the marketing organization of E. Leclerc decided to conduct its own study on these packaging. Scamark determined that of the 58 referrals, 11 showed no risk of cancer because they were protected by a barrier effect (internal aluminum layer). There were only 47 references of recycled packaging without barriers. Consequently, E. Leclerc decided to give more importance to the problem of carcinogenic packaging and therefore determined a plan of action. The plan is to remove 4 references and to pass 43 in virgin cardboard from the first half of 2017.
Leclerc shows how important it is to its customers and justifies it through these new and significant initiatives.