Separating fact from myth, our Customer Care Center specialists explain the stories behind current events in the retail sector that affect you and your family.
Original post: 3/21/16 | Updated: 7/9/18
We closely follow the work of academic scientists studying animal behavior, and have taken that information and talked with our supplier partners to consider whether standards are high enough. Many of our suppliers have relied on the advice of Temple Grandin, grandin.com and other experts like her. As there is better science, we better understand how animals respond to their environment.
Wegmans works with only a few trusted supplier-partners for its own brand of meat, poultry, and eggs. We investigate their operations from beginning to end before we choose them. We personally visit their facilities and evaluate them with our own eyes. Once chosen, Wegmans brand suppliers must conduct periodic welfare audits. These third-party audits include objective, measurable criteria that are based on best practices developed by recognized animal welfare experts. Audit results are provided to Wegmans and we review them. And when science teaches us something new, we encourage our suppliers and the industry to follow.
Original post: 6/30/09 | Updated: 7/23/18
Wegmans’ commitment to customer and environmental health is at the forefront of what we do. We have closely followed BPA developments since 2007 and began transitioning product packaging away from BPA in 2008.
All Wegmans infant and toddler baby bottles, sippy cups, and feeding accessories, as well as our unbreakable drinkware have been BPA free since 2010. Today, all Wegmans brand canned products are packed in cans with liners made without added BPA, and they have been tested for shelf-life and product quality. As food product labels are updated, they will state “Packaging made without added BPA” when space allows.
For more information and frequently asked questions about BPA, visit the FDA website.
Original post: 3/19/04 | Updated: 7/9/18
Attention:
Fish and shellfish are part of a healthy diet and good sources of high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, but the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency advise women of child-bearing age, especially pregnant and nursing women, and young children to avoid consumption of certain fish due to higher levels of methylmercury, which could have an effect on developing nervous systems. These fish include shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish.
The FDA and EPA recommend selecting a variety of other fish and shellfish, and limiting consumption to 12 ounces of fish per week for adults and four ounces per week for young children. Low mercury options include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. Canned albacore should be limited to four ounces per week for adults and two ounces per week for young children.
For more information and frequently asked questions, please visit additional resources on fda.gov. Wegmans Seafood departments also have information on mercury levels by species.
Original post: 11/15/05 | Updated: 7/9/18
Traditional farm-raised salmon and steelhead trout sold at Wegmans get their pinkish/red color from an FDA-approved color compound called astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is naturally occurring in these species of wild fish because their diets consist of things like shrimp and crab. It’s added to the feed of farm-raised salmon and steelhead trout to imitate those wild diets, and without it, the fish would be grayish in color. Astaxanthin is an antioxidant that also provides vitamin A in the fish diet.
Whether choosing farm raised or wild caught, astaxanthin is found in both traditional salmon and steelhead trout. The feed used to raise our E.U. certified organic farm-raised salmon contains phaffa yeast for color instead of astaxanthin.
Original post: 8/4/17 | Updated: 3/14/19
Wegmans does not currently offer GMO salmon (sometimes called Genetically Engineered salmon), nor do we have plans to do so. Some retailers have signed a pledge saying they will never carry GMO salmon, but signing pledges is not something we ever do.
None of our current suppliers are interested in producing GMO salmon. And, our specifications for farm-raised salmon would not permit GMO salmon to be substituted without our knowledge.
The major advantage of GMO salmon is that it will grow in half the time of traditional farmed salmon. If it’s less expensive to raise, the retail price could be lower. While that might foster consumer demand, our customers are not currently asking us for it. That’s why we have no plans to carry GMO salmon.
Original post: 8/20/18
We are aware of the EWG report and are discussing its findings with our suppliers. As always, we follow the guidance of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food & Drug Administration on issues like this one. Here is a link to information on FDA’s web site about glyphosate. And, we offer organic options in every category of product for customers who want that choice.
Original post: 12/21/18
At Wegmans, we believe we should do what’s right for our environment, our customers, and our company. As part of this belief, Wegmans is committed to reducing emissions and waste in landfills through packaging innovation.
It’s always important to remember that a food container’s number one job is to protect the food inside. It takes resources to grow that food, and fuel to bring it from the farm to the store, so we want to preserve nature’s investment in this food with containers that protect it all the way to our customers’ tables. Our job is to make sure packaging is functional, performs as expected, and uses materials efficiently and responsibly.
To improve the sustainability of our packaging, we’re focused on reducing the amount of raw materials – new plastic or paper made from non-renewable fossil fuels – and replacing it with non-plastic and renewable and recycled materials. Using plant-based materials in our packaging does just this, while still delivering the same quality and freshness to our customers.
My Items