New Scorecard Warns: U.S. Food Retailers Lag on Reducing Harmful Pesticides
WASHINGTON – Friends of the Earth today released its 2025 Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard, the leading national assessment of how the largest U.S. grocery retailers are addressing toxic pesticides in their supply chains. Several companies have recently strengthened their pollinator health policies, but widespread inaction continues to expose the industry to mounting financial, ecological, and consumer trust risks.
The Scorecard evaluates 25 of the country’s top grocery retailers on their commitments and progress toward reducing pesticides linked to the decline of bees, biodiversity, soil health, and human health.
This year, Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) became only the second company to score in the “A” range, joining Whole Foods. Sprouts revealed a new commitment to pollinator health this December. The policy aims to reduce use of toxic pesticides in the company’s supply chain and build on its industry-leading organic sales.
Organic sales are a key differentiator for retailers on the scorecard: the USDA Organic seal remains the most trusted benchmark for reduced pesticide use, prohibiting more than 900 synthetic pesticides — including many linked to risks for pollinators, soil health, and human well-being.