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AFSA and partners launch a three-day gathering to advance agroecology, food sovereignty, biodiversity and climate justice across the Congo Basin

Yaoundé, Cameroon — 25 August 2026 — The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), together with the Concertation Nationale des Organisations Paysannes au Cameroun (CNOP-CAM) and Congo Basin partners, today officially opens the Second Congo Basin Convening — “Securing the Heart of Africa: People, Nature, Food and Climate Resilience” — running from 25 to 27 August 2026 at the Franco Hôtel in Yaoundé.

Three years after the inaugural Congo Basin Summit in Kinshasa, DRC (August 2023), this second gathering brings together an estimated 120 delegates from the six Congo Basin countries — Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea — alongside representatives from Angola, Chad, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. Governments, farmer organisations, Indigenous Peoples, women’s and youth movements, researchers, financial partners and civil society will spend three days reviewing progress since Kinshasa and charting a shared regional roadmap for inclusive agroecology, sustainable food systems, biodiversity conservation and climate justice.

The Convening will be officially opened by His Excellency Gabriel Mbaïrobe, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Cameroon, whose government graciously agreed to host the gathering. Ahead of today’s opening, the AFSA delegation briefed the Minister on the Convening’s preparations and final agenda, and thanked the Government of Cameroon for its support.

Day One brings the region’s story into focus. Dr Million Belay, General Coordinator of AFSA, will introduce the Alliance’s continental work; Joséphine Atangana, AFSA’s Focal Point for the Congo Basin, will assess the achievements of the past three years and outline what this Convening aims to deliver; and Elisabeth Atangana, President of CNOP-CAM and Treasurer of the AFSA Board of Directors, will deliver welcome remarks ahead of the Minister’s official opening address. The day continues with plenary sessions on ecological resilience and the Congo Basin’s financing needs, a community agroecology exhibition, and a Cameroonian cultural dinner in the evening.

“Agroecology represents an alternative that promotes biodiversity, nourishes the soil, respects indigenous and local knowledge, and strengthens local economies,” says Dr Million Belay, AFSA’s General Coordinator.

Over the following two days, delegates will work through thematic sessions on land rights, climate justice and resource mobilisation, before adopting the Yaoundé 2026 Declaration and a regional action roadmap on 27 August.

About AFSA The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) is the continent’s largest civil society platform advocating for food sovereignty and agroecology, uniting 48 member alliances active in 50 African countries and reaching more than 200 million people.

Press contact
Patricia Mengong — +237 672 38 26 26
Charles Onana — +237 699 51 63 45

Replacing fuel imports with renewable power could save Pacific countries millions of dollars if they can secure enough investment to make the switch.

The post Ditching diesel for renewables could save Pacific nations nearly $1 billion a year, study finds appeared first on Renew Economy.

Angus Taylor releases pro-gas policy, just as a new report highlights the soaring carbon prices needed to keep in line with climate targets.

The post Angus Taylor steps on the gas, but how does that sit with emissions targets and carbon costs? appeared first on Renew Economy.

New CIS tender launched for another 1.8 gigawatts of new wind and solar, but in a state where the government utility is happy to write contracts to help replace coal.

The post Bowen launches new wind and solar tender in state happy to write contracts to help replace coal appeared first on Renew Economy.

Western Australia’s renewables bring wholesale electricity prices down, batteries carry that impact onto peaks, but more gas sends prices up. So why is the WA government planning to build more gas?

The post Batteries are quickly turning gas into a costly “sometimes fuel” for electricity. So why build more? appeared first on Renew Economy.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has denied entry to Hossam el-Hamalway, a prominent Egyptian journalist who is scheduled to deliver two lectures at Simon...

The post Federal government blocks prominent Egyptian journalist from entering Canada first appeared on Spring.

Happy late summer! Let’s jump into this month’s newsletter with two wins to celebrate.

The ballot initiative that was attempting to give 25% of the Portland Clean Energy Fund to the police failed to gather enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot (1PDX2026)! Along with the Friends of PCEF coalition, we’ve been organizing for almost a year to do everything we can to keep this off the ballot. Despite spending over a whopping $1.36 million, the police union failed to gather enough community support to hire more armed police by siphoning resources away from PCEF. The effort to gather signatures prompted nearly 100 complaints about improper and misleading practices, but even with these underhanded techniques, Portlanders recognized the importance of our unique fund for climate justice. PCEF funds come through a 1% tax on Portland’s largest corporations — taxing the rich and putting the funds toward those most impacted by climate change — and we can all celebrate that it’s going to stay that way! Learn more here.

Last Thursday, August 13th, 350PDX’s Puppets for Climate Justice showed up with groups in the Oregon Data Center Defiance Coalition to rally against HR 655, which would transfer 150 acres of Mount Hood National Forest land to The Dalles, to expand their municipal water reservoir to feed the growing Google Data Center complex. In a win for Mount Hood watershed, Senator Ron Wyden issued a statement opposing the bill!

We thank Senator Wyden and all those who wrote, called, and advocated publicly to protect this watershed. However, action is still needed! Senator Jeff Merkley and Governor Tina Kotek have not yet stated their opposition to this bill, so voice your concern to them both! Senator Merkley: (503) 326-3386 / contact form, and Governor Kotek: (503) 378-4582 / contact form.

Upcoming Events:

August 27: Show Up for the Multnomah County Climate Justice Plan
This plan is proposed for board adoption next Thursday morning. Join us at this important virtual meeting. The agenda will be posted 8/21. Wear red, show up virtually, and send a letter of support. Let’s make sure we outnumber any opposition! See the Take Action page for more info.

August 29: Bike to the Jade Night Market 
Join 350PDX and Friends of PCEF to learn about the climate investments that are revitalizing 82nd Ave. Learn more and RSVP.

September 8: Stop Data Centers! Rally & Lobby Day in Salem
The rapid build out of data centers without proper regulation is having a massive impact on our communities, energy supply and prices, water resources, farmland, and natural ecosystems. Enough is enough: we demand a 3-year moratorium on data centers now. Join us in Salem for a rally and lobby day in support of a statewide 3-year moratorium on data centers.

September 11: Economic Opportunities Analysis Tour
Portland is developing its economic plan for the next 20 years. Join 350PDX, Coalition of Communities of Color, and other partner organizations to learn about industrial areas, environmental and climate impacts, river health, and labor concerns on this tour. Learn more and RSVP. 

September 13: Chasing Chimeras Film Screening
The Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St.) is screening local filmmaker Barbara Bernstein’s film Chasing Chimeras: The Lure of Deceptive Climate Solutions at 7 PM on Sunday, Sept 13. Learn why “renewable” fuels are not the answer. A panel discussion will follow the film. Get your tickets here.

75 Days Until the Election! Half of Portland’s City Council members are up for election this fall (that’s six seats!). 350PDX is working hard to bring climate justice priorities into the election conversation for all candidates and to make sure all Portland voters are ready and informed to vote. Save the dates for our big Climate Justice Candidate Forums this October — you won’t want to miss this opportunity to see candidates on a stage together discussing our City’s biggest climate issues. These events will be moderated by The Mercury reporters, Jeremiah Hayden and Taylor Griggs.

• District 4: Monday, October 5, 6 PM at First Unitarian Portland (1211 SW Main St.) – RSVP
• District 3: Thursday, October 8, 6 PM at The Porch (6725 SE Kelly St.) – RSVP

Welcome Maeve

This month, 350PDX welcomes Maeve Fellerhoff as our Community Engagement and Program Support Coordinator. Maeve is serving at 350PDX as a member of Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest. As a Jesuit Volunteer, she will be serving the Portland community for a year starting in August. Read more about Maeve here!

We are Hiring

Applications are open for a Development Manager at 350PDX. We are looking for a visionary, self-directed fundraising professional who will assess, strengthen, and drive 350PDX’s contributed income strategy. This position is part-time and open until filled.Click here to learn more and apply.

Book Club

The 350PDX Book Club meets every month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30PM. Every other month is in person and the others are virtual.

Reach out to books@350PDX.org with any questions or to join our list, and please RSVP so we can inform you of any meeting changes.

Join us on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30PM for our next nonfiction in-person meeting. We’ll discuss Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Gardenby Camile D. Dungy, in which the poet and scholar recounts her seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden to reflect her heritage, expanding how we talk about the natural world and the environment.  RSVP at books@350PDX.org.

Save the date for our other upcoming discussions:

• Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30PM (Google Meet) — Book to be selected in October

Art Team

Next Art Build: Sunday, September 13 from 1–4 PM at our workshop space (3639 N Mississippi Ave). We’ll come together to make posters and puppets for upcoming actions. This is a great way to plug into the 350PDX community!

To join the Arts Team at these upcoming events, contact Donna for more information: murph1949@aol.com

• August 23, Oregon Wild Rabble Rouser arts training

• August 29, Saturday, PCEF Tour, we need puppeteers!

Forest Defense Team

The 5th Annual Lents to Laurelhurst Urban Shade Equity Pedalpalooza Ride was a success! We had over 120 Action Night participants and 100 riders! It was great coming together as a community.

Photo: Irene Tejaratchi Hess

Click here to view a new 6-min shade equity film by Irene Hess and sign up to join the Forest Defense Team.

Increase Natural Carbon Storage in State Forests
Oregon’s forests are a significant net carbon sink. That’s one of the many reasons we love them. In good news, the Oregon Climate Action Commission wants to increase natural carbon storage  in natural and working lands. Use this toolkit to both send a thank you email to the OCAC for their updated goals, and to email ODF to urge them to follow these guidelines effective immediately.

Energy Justice Team

Members of our Energy Justice Team volunteered with Community Energy Project in August, helping replace a roof on a home that’s being updated through the PCEF-funded Energy Friendly Homes program! We enjoyed building community, and learning about this important work that helps affordably reduce emissions for low-income Portlanders.

We meet every second and fourth Tuesday, alternating between in person and virtual. Contact Cherice (cherice@350pdx.org) and/or Dineen (dineen@350pdx.org) to join.

Milwaukie Advocates for Climate Justice

Do you live in Milwaukie and want to take action for climate justice with your neighbors? Milwaukie Advocates for Climate (MAC) is a Neighborhood Team of 350PDX, and you can sign up to join here. Right now, the team is getting ready to table at the Milwaukie Sustainability Fair on September 19.

Washington County Team

The 350PDX Washington County Team cohosted the successful second annual Westside Sustainable Living Fair on July 18 at the Hillsboro Saturday Farmers Market. Market attendance was estimated at about 4,000 attendees, and the PGE EV Ride & Drive was well-attended and successful as well.

We always welcome newcomers to our events and to our (mostly) monthly online meetings (6:30 PM on the second Tuesday of the month). For the link, join us here or contact us at 350washco@gmail.com.

Southwest Team

The 350PDX Southwest Neighborhood Team includes neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Portland. We work together to raise awareness of the climate emergency. Our street corner demonstrations continue weekly in August every Friday from 4–5 PM at SW Garden Home & SW Oleson Rd. Street parking is available or reach us via bus or bike. Our monthly meetings happen on the third Monday of the month. To get involved, please contact Pat Kaczmarek at patk5@msn.com.

Before closing our newsletter, a few reminders:

• Check out our Take Action page, which we update regularly. It includes actions that may not be in our newsletter.
• Join the 350PDX community Slack channel! This is a great way to stay connected on an ongoing basis. Contact to info@350pdx.org and we can add you.
•  350PDX is still searching for a wonderful, new home. Please reach out to info@350PDX.org if you have ideas for a space where we can have meetings, our arts team can create show-stopping puppets, and more!

 

Thank you for reading our monthly newsletter. We hope to see you soon!

With gratitude,

Cherice, Dineen, Jessica, Maeve, and Noelle

The post 2026 August Newsletter! appeared first on 350PDX: Climate Justice.

Every spring, thousands of people flock to Rowe Sanctuary to witness one of Nebraska’s greatest wildlife spectacles: large concentrations of Sandhill Cranes gathering along the Platte River during...

For students visiting the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary, a field trip is more than a day away from the classroom. It is an opportunity to experience the natural world firsthand and...

Industry says food safety costs more. Some store brands show it doesn’t need to. Ketura Persellin August 24, 2026

Food industry lobbyists argue that food safety laws drive up grocery prices. EWG’s review of the shelf tells a different story – retailers are already proving that removing chemicals of concern from food doesn’t cost consumers a dime, and often costs them less. 

Grocery “store brands” like Walmart’s Great Value tend to be less expensive than famous name brands like Kraft and Kellogg. Grocers save money when they work directly with manufacturers and they pass some of those savings along to you. 

But store brands can sometimes also have fewer chemicals of concern while saving consumers money, proving that “healthier” and “cheaper” aren’t in conflict. Reformulating products while cutting the price shoppers pay is possible, and already being done.

Many retailers have created lists of chemicals they no longer use in their store brands, including Albertsons, H-E-B, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Publix, ShopRite, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Wegmans.

Some of these retailers have removed more than 100 chemicals of concern from their own store brands. For example, Albertsons list 117 substances that are not used in their “Open Nature” store Brand. H-E-B includes 203 that are free from their “Select Ingredients” line of products. These chemicals include BHT and TBHQ, preservatives that have been linked to tumor promotion in animals and immune dysfunction. 

That’s not only good news for consumers. It also undercuts the false claims food companies are making right now to fight food safety bills in Congress.

Affordable foods with fewer harmful chemicals

EWG looked at the name and store brands of common grocery items sold by several national chains that have store brands that have committed to not use select food chemicals of concern, such as those found on EWG’s Dirty Dozen™ Food Chemicals. 

A few examples:

• Aldi Fruit Rounds, Mom’s Best Fruity Rings and Wegmans Frosted Fruit O’s are all cheaper alternatives to Kellogg’s Froot Loops – and are free of synthetic dyes.
• Trader Joe’s version of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups leave out the TBHQ.
• WalMart’s store brand, Great Value, has a version of Cheez-It that’s free from TBHQ and costs less than the name brand version.

Source: EWG review of retailer websites accessed July 28, 2026

Store brands are often cheaper than name brands. Soda is one product type where the store brand can be less expensive and contain fewer toxic chemicals. For example, Whole Foods’ lemon-lime soda is more than $1 less than Mountain Dew.  

This doesn’t mean that every store brand food is healthy. Sugary cereals, soda and candy are still full of sugar. But when consumers choose to enjoy these foods as part of a healthy diet, they should know that foods free of harmful chemicals don't require paying more for it. 

Yet that’s exactly what food companies have been telling Congress.

Industry deception

Some of your favorite food companies are telling lawmakers that removing toxic chemicals from food and food packaging will drive up the cost of food. 

Their industry front group falsely claims that state laws making our food safe would increase food prices. Food lobbyists have even hired “experts” who worked for chemical manufacturers like Dow to argue that food chemical ban bills would raise costs for consumers. 

But their math makes bogus assumptions about how consumers actually shop. And it ignores affordable alternatives sitting on the same shelf. In fact, it’s also contradicted by another food industry report that found two-thirds of all grocery retailers are reformulating brands to meet consumers’ demand for cleaner products. 

If reformulation were as costly as industry claims, retailers wouldn’t be doing it voluntarily, at scale, while keeping prices flat or lower. Their math simply does not add up. 

States are leading on food safety laws

States have banned many toxic chemicals from food and food packaging, including chemicals linked to cancer. 

The Food and Drug Administration, by contrast, has banned just two – and only after states had done so. So far, the second Trump FDA has not banned a single chemical of concern. Without state action, there is little hope that the worst food chemicals will be off our plates any time soon. 

We need the states to protect us. 

When it comes to the toxic chemicals in our food, the FDA has a long history of failure. It has largely allowed food chemical companies to decide which food chemicals are safe and permitted these companies to add new chemicals to food without the FDA’s knowledge. Proposals to narrow these loopholes are still just that: proposals. 

Some members of Congress now want to make things even worse.

They would block states from keeping our food safe, and would do so both retroactively and prospectively. This isn’t just about stopping states from passing new food safety protections. Their bill would also retroactively wipe out laws already in effect. 

In all, the proposal in Congress could preempt more than 100 state laws that keep our food safe from chemicals, contaminants and pathogens like cyclospora. 

Retailers are doing their part – removing many of the worst chemicals from their own store brands. But consumers shouldn’t have to worry about which brands they can trust every time they go to the grocery store. 

For consumers who want to find out more about what’s in their food, EWG’s Food Scores rates more than 150,000 foods and beverages based on nutrition, ingredients and level of processing. Food Scores also flags ultra-processed food and can point shoppers toward healthier alternatives.

Areas of Focus Food Authors Scott Faber August 27, 2026

Checks & Balances Project (C&BP) has briefed the FBI on potential fraud involving Sussex County Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve White and the Stony Creek Volunteer Rescue Squad (SCVRS) that he runs.

The briefing followed a July 14 complaint to the FBI that detailed 10 issues of concerns about White’s apparent corruption in office, including his conflicts of interest in voting to send taxpayer money to SCVRS and potential Medicare and Medicaid billing fraud tied to SCVRS.

C&BP also filed a complaint on July 17 with the inspector general of the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Medicare and Medicaid. C&BP briefed an HHS investigator on Aug. 6 about the details included in its complaint.

The FBI and the HHS inspector general reached out to Checks & Balances Project.

The HHS complaint alleged potential fraud involving billing for ambulance calls conducted by SCVRS and the lack of transparency in the squad’s finances.

SCVRS lost its federal nonprofit status in 2023, because it failed to file tax returns for three years. C&BP also reported that in the five years for which tax returns are available – 2015 through 2019 – SCVRS reported a $304,000 surplus.

Outstanding FOIA requests

C&BP is still waiting for Sussex County to reply to Freedom of Information Act requests seeking data on SCVRS response times to calls for help and the number of times White used his state of Virginia email address for Sussex County work.

The county is also in apparent violation of Virginia law for not maintaining public records, including the agenda packets and minutes of supervisors’ meetings, on its website.

Sussex County’s site includes no information on meetings before 2025 and is missing minutes from some meetings after that date.

State law § 2.2-3707.2. says, “Posting of minutes for local public bodies. Except as provided in subsection I of § 2.2-3707, any local public body subject to the provisions of this chapter shall post minutes of its meetings on its official public government website, if any, within seven working days of final approval of the minutes.”

However, attempts to access the links on the site for meetings before 2025 yield this message: “Sorry! That page doesn’t seem to exist.”

Neither the office of Attorney General Jay Jones nor Sussex Commonwealth Attorney Regina Sykes have responded to C&BP’s offers to brief them.

Ray Locker is the executive director for Checks & Balances Project, an investigative watchdog blog holding government officials, lobbyists, and corporate management accountable to the public. Funding for C&BP is provided by Renew American Prosperity and individual donors.

You may also want to read:

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The post Checks & Balances Project briefs FBI on alleged fraud in Sussex County appeared first on Checks and Balances Project.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, registered nurses – joined by patients and community allies  – will be mobilizing nationwide to demand hospitals and elected officials immediately cut ties with the artificial intelligence giant Palantir. The nurses belong to National Nurses United, which has opposed Palantir’s growth as a dangerous threat to democracy and human rights.

© SUSSEX.COMSurvival International has been calling on Prince Harry to step down from African Parks for years. He finally has. #

Registered nurses at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, Calif., will hold a rally and press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 26, to condemn proposed layoffs of critical support staff,

All three Union Jack Oil directors, David Bramhill, Joseph O’Farrell and Zac Phillips, have been removed immediately from the board, the company announced today (24 August 2026).

They have been replaced by Craig Howie and John Americanos, again with immediate effect.

The announcement follows general meetings in London earlier today.

Last month, Mr Howie and Mr Americanos, both former Union Jack directors, called for the removal of the entire Union Jack board and their appointment in its place.

The former directors described the call as “opportunistic” and urged investors to vote against.

But Mr Howie was appointed today with 90.85% of the votes cast in favour and Mr Americanos with 90.82%.

A statement to investors reported that 90.89% of the votes cast were in favour of the removal of David Bramhill (the former executive chairman), 90.55% for the removal of Mr O’Farrell and 90.89% for the removal of Zac Phillips.

Union Jack, which has interests in the Wressle oil field in North Lincolnshire and the West Newton oil and gas sites in East Yorkshire, is the subject of a takeover bid by Reabold Resources.

Earlier this month (5 August 2026), Union Jack, urged investors to support the takeover. It said the company would, “in the short term, be unable to meet its licence commitments”.

The company said the former board had “considered the likelihood of accelerated cash calls for the West Newton project (where Reabold has an economic interest of 69.9%) and payments for loss of office following the recent shareholder requisition received by Union Jack to remove all of its current directors.”

The former directors added:

“Consequently, in accordance with the licence terms, this may result in the forfeiture of key assets within the Union Jack portfolio.”

Today’s statement said Mr Howie would become executive chairman and Mr Americanos the executive director. Independent non-executive directors would be appointed, the statement said.

Mr Howie said:

“Following the Board changes announced today, Union Jack’s immediate priority must be an urgent right-sizing of its central cost base, particularly with regard to directors’ remuneration.

“This should be accompanied by significantly improved investor communication and corporate governance.

“Supported by a fresh commercial and technical approach, the incoming Board also needs to make considerably more effective capital allocation decisions at the asset and corporate levels, to preserve and grow value going forward.

“We look forward to updating shareholders once the most urgent steps have been taken, including the selection and appointment of independent non-executive directors to ensure the highest standards of boardroom oversight.”

Last week, Reabold Resources announced that it had received support for the takeover from holders of 2.35% of Union Jack’s share capital, 21 days after the takeover offer. The offer remains open until 25 September 2026.

Reabold Resources has not issued a formal statement to investors in response to today’s news.

Integrated planning can lower costs to ratepayers by reducing duplicative spending, and New York could lead the way, write experts at Current Energy Group and Advanced Energy United.

Ryan Costello, Policy Director with the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), issued the following statement as the Trump administration moves to intensify its economic pressure campaign against Iran following months of war and instability:

“President Trump, the ultimate gambler in geopolitics, is poised to double down on a bad hand on Iran yet again.

“We’ve been down the maximum pressure road with Iran many times. What we’ve learned is that President Trump can impose extensive economic pain on Iran, but ordinary Iranians overwhelmingly bear the cost.. The ruling elite in Iran remains largely insulated, while Tehran has repeatedly refused to capitulate to Washington’s demands.. Trump’s gamble is that this time, amid the destruction of war, and with the reinforcement of a blockade, time is on his side and ultimately Iran will be forced to concede defeat.

“The pivot back to economic coercion comes with enormous risks the administration appears determined to ignore. After all, it was the United States that waived sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea during the height of the war in March, and again issued a waiver allowing Iran to sell oil freely in June. Now attempting to choke off those same oil sales exposes the contradiction at the heart of Trump’s strategy: Washington needed to relieve economic pressure when the consequences became too costly, yet is now betting that it can reimpose that pressure without suffering the same blowback.

“Within the United States, ordinary Americans are paying the price for this deeply unpopular war at the gas pump and in their grocery bills. Trump’s polls have plummeted amid the war - one he said he’d avoid - heading into all-important midterms. Continuing economic warfare risks deeper turmoil in the energy markets and the global economy, which could cascade into a full-blown catastrophe. Moreover, starting a trade war with China risks retaliatory measures that the U.S. economy can ill afford.

“Iran has also indicated clearly that it will not tolerate economic warfare and will escalate across the region, if necessary, to target any nation that supports President Trump’s efforts to cripple the Iranian economy. While the President may think economic warfare is less risky than military warfare, ultimately Tehran will view it as a different tactic in the same campaign to crush the country.

“None of this appears likely to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Rather, it appears intended to delay and avoid a deal that ends not just the war, but also the maximum pressure campaign that the President has waged since 2018. Oftentimes, admitting you have a problem is necessary in order to stop an addiction. President Trump has proven unable and unwilling to stop his gambling on Iran that risks further undermining U.S. and regional security and the global economy.”

‘The Great Reformulation’: How some grocery giants are cutting back on food chemicals Ketura Persellin August 24, 2026

Many grocery stores are meeting consumer demand by taking food chemicals off their shelves. 

More than 70% of U.S. adults are concerned about chemicals in their food and water – and they deserve better consumer protections than the federal government has given them.

Due to a legal loophole, almost 99% of all new food chemicals introduced in the past 20 years have been approved by companies themselves, rather than the Food and Drug Administration. The Trump administration recently took a step toward amending that loophole – but it may be years before people see changes in their shopping carts as a result.

Some grocery giants aren’t waiting to act on potentially harmful food chemicals.

Whole Foods is a leader, with a longstanding commitment to ban a lengthy list of ingredients throughout its store. H-E-B, the largest chain in Texas, has banned more than 200 ingredients of concern from its store brand products. Albertons, Kroger, Target and Wegmans have each removed around 100 food chemicals from their store brand items.

Food chemicals are just one feature of a food system that favors industry and leaves the public with too few options for eating well. But understanding how retailers are responding shows how the food landscape is shifting and can help point shoppers in the right direction.

Grocery stores have more control over store-brand products

The products at most grocery retailers fall into one of two categories: name brand goods like Cheerios, and store brand or “private label” goods like Kroger Toasted O’s. 

Private label brands make up close to 25% of most retail sales. Shoppers used to associate more affordable private label brands with lower quality. But that’s changing. More than half of consumers now say they can’t justify spending more on name brands when private label products meet their needs.  

But retailer pledges usually focus on these in-house brands because they own the product lines and have control over the supply chains, so they have more sway here than over manufacturers of brand name products.

‘The Great Reformulation’

Many major grocers are now capitalizing on consumer demand by removing ingredients or reformulating products – a trend one publication calls the Great Reformulation. Many stores’ restrictions and bans focus on ingredients like artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and sweeteners, and some include a much wider range of additives.

Here’s where some of the other top grocery retailers stand.

Retailers with clear commitments and results

Albertsons. The company has removed 110 ingredients from its private label brand, Open Nature. The brand is available in the company’s 20 grocery subsidiaries, including Jewel-Osco and Safeway.

H-E-B. The Texas staple’s store brands feature their Select Ingredients seal, indicating products are free from more than 203 ingredients.

Kroger. Kroger’s Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic store brands date back more than a decade. As of 2021, its product lines were free of more than 101 ingredients.

Target. Target’s private label brand, Good & Gather, is free of more than 100 ingredients of concern. In 2026, Target announced it would remove synthetic dyes from all cereal sold in its stores.

Wegmans. Wegmans launched its Food You Feel Good About line in 1991, with restrictions on artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and sweeteners. Its website currently lists close to 100 ingredients of concern that are not used in its private label products.

Whole Foods. Whole Foods has had storewide standards for colors, flavors and preservatives since it opened its doors in 1980. Today a list of 300 banned or restricted chemicals is easy to find on the Whole Foods website. 

Retailers with commitments and some signs of success

Aldi. Aldi removed 13 ingredients, including artificial colors, from its store brand line more than a decade ago. This year, Aldi announced it would ban 44 more chemical ingredients from all of its private label foods, vitamins and supplements by December 2027. 

Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s inventory is dominated by its private label products. The store generally commits to no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in their product – with some exceptions – but doesn’t offer a full list of banned ingredients.

Walmart. Last year, Walmart pledged to eliminate synthetic dyes and 30 other ingredients from its Great Value brand. Sam’s Club, which is owned by Walmart, has already removed more than 40 ingredients of concern from its Member’s Mark products.

Retailers with pledges but few signs of progress

Ahold Delhaize USA. In 2018, Ahold Delhaize USA – owner of Giant, Hannaford’s, Food Lion and Stop and Shop – pledged to remove all synthetic colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, sweeteners, MSG and high fructose corn syrup from private label products by 2025. But their 2025 annual report made no mention of the initiative, and no updates have been issued since.

Retailers without public pledges

Costco. The company has yet to announce any commitment to remove ingredients of concern from its product line, Kirkland Signature. A proposed class-action lawsuit earlier this year accused Costco of falsely advertising “no preservatives” in its rotisserie chicken.

States are stepping in to regulate chemicals of concern 

States are also leading efforts to fill gaps in federal regulation.

A 2023 California law banned four toxic chemicals from food products manufactured, distributed or sold in the state, and a 2024 law banned six food chemicals from food served in public schools. 

Other states have since launched efforts to restrict ingredients in food sold in their stores. As of August, more than 150 bills had been introduced and 20 signed into law. Take a look at EWG’s interactive food legislation map to find out more.

When it comes to harmful chemicals in food and packaging, states are often better – and faster – at providing consumer protections than the federal government. State laws have been so effective that they’re now being targeted by the food and beverage industry, which is backing legislation that would erase many state consumer protections.

What to look for when you shop

For many families, it can be hard to eat healthy. Avoiding food chemicals of concern is one challenge among many others, including affordability, access and the addictive nature of many highly processed foods.

That’s why EWG pushes for policies that can make healthy eating easier for everyone. In the meantime, there are a few tools that can help you navigate the grocery store:

• Take a look at EWG’s Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Chemicals™, which highlights some of the most concerning chemicals still allowed in the U.S. food supply.
• Consult EWG’s Food Scores to find out what’s in your food. Food Scores also flags unhealthy ultra-processed foods and can help you identify less-processed alternatives.
• Use our label reading guide. It helps you scan ingredient lists for items you wouldn’t have in your home kitchen, and make sure to check how much added sugar, salt and saturated fat is in your food.
• And when you’re on the go, check our Healthy Living app to find products.

Areas of Focus Ultra-Processed Foods Authors Ketura Persellin Sarah Reinhardt, MPH, RDN August 25, 2026

Nurses at West Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim, Calif.; Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno, N.V.; Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, Ill.; and nurses and health care workers at Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, Calif. gave notice to their employer Prime Healthcare that they will hold one-day strikes from Sept. 3 to Sept. 4 to protest the administration’s refusal to address deep concerns about patient care and safe staffing.