5@5: 'Forever chemical' maker cuts food packaging products | Brick-and-mortar grocery stores are alive and well

Maker of ‘forever chemicals’ cuts food packaging products

Chemours, the producer of Teflon, has ceased manufacturing three products containing the non-stick coatings used in disposable food packaging known as PFAS. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, hypertension and developmental and reproductive issues. FDA had announced in June that the newer versions of PFAS on the market may pose a risk to human health and is reportedly working with other federal agencies to determine if they should be banned altogether. Read more at Politico …

Despite headlines to the contrary, grocery stores are alive and well

Although online is currently the fastest-growing grocery retail channel, it still represents a small fraction (2-5%) of the $743 billion U.S. grocery retail market. In fact, online seems to be augmenting physical grocery stores “akin to how the addition of in-store pharmacies and bakeries brought features to supermarkets that didn’t exist before”—in other words, it’s a feature as opposed to a standalone business. Read more at U.S. Chamber of Commerce …

Documents reveal Monsanto surveilled journalists, activists and even musician Neil Young

New documents have revealed Monsanto’s extensive efforts “to surveil and discredit journalists and activists who criticized or wrote damning reports about Monsanto.” Singer Neil Young, who released an album in 2015 called “The Monsanto Years,” was also monitored by the U.S. agribusiness giant’s “fusion center." Read more at Democracy Now …

Ideology can skew our views on the healthiness of food

New research shows that food companies that are revealing about their political opinions in their marketing efforts could make their products “less appealing to a large number of consumers, without significantly enhancing its appeal among those who agree with the political message.” These findings can help public health officials construct pitches that will be receptive to all ideological persuasions. Read more at Pacific Standard …

This startup is helping food app delivery workers start their own delivery companies

A young startup called Dumpling aims to turn today’s frustrated food delivery workers into “solopreneurs,” allowing them to build their own book of clients and keep far more of the money earned than they do working with companies such as DoorDash. The founders’ philosophy is to build a platform that supports the gig worker, which incentivizes them to give clients the best possible experience. Read more at Tech Crunch …