New Scorecard Warns: U.S. Food Retailers Lag on Reducing Harmful Pesticides

While leaders like Sprouts and Costco are making strides, many major retailers still lag on reducing hazardous pesticides—despite rising consumer demand for safer food and mounting risks to pollinators, soil health, and food production

WASHINGTON – Friends of the Earth 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 the 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.

Costco (NASDAQ: COST) also advanced notably, rising from a “C” to a “B+” due to strong organic sales and reported progress toward implementing its pollinator health policy. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) improved from an “F” to a “D-” based on Amazon Fresh sales of organic and other meaningful thirdparty certifications.  

Laggards fall behind despite rising consumer concern about pesticides

While progress from top performers signals a shifting landscape, many retailers remain far behind. Six companies—Albertsons (NYSE: ACI), Aldi, CVS (NYSE: CVS), Kroger (NYSE: KR), Southeastern Grocers, and Target (NYSE: TGT)—lost points for failing to communicate meaningful progress toward meeting their pollinator health commitments.

Target fell from a “D-” to an “F,” joining Wegmans, BJ’s Wholesale Club (NYSE: BJ), H-E-B, Walgreens (NASDAQ: WBA), Hy-Vee, Dollar General (NYSE: DG), Publix, and Wakefern.

The Scorecard’s findings come amid intensifying public concern about pesticide exposure. National polling consistently shows that consumers — especially parents — are increasingly seeking organic and pesticide-free options and expect retailers to be transparent about chemical use in their supply chains.

Recent investigative testing underscores these concerns: a Friends of the Earth-commissioned study  detected multiple toxic pesticides in Target’s Good & Gather baby food, including neurotoxins, hormone disruptors, and PFAS “forever chemicals.”

Pesticides pose growing financial and supply-chain risks for retailers

A recent analysis commissioned by Friends of the Earth estimates that the U.S. food retail sector faces $219 billion in climate, financial, and biodiversity risks stemming from pesticide-dependent agriculture on just four major crops.

Retailers are also likely to face supply constraints and price volatility as pollinator populations decline. Research has already linked pollinator loss to reduced yields in key crops such as apples and cherries — products central to grocery produce departments.

 “Pesticides are a linchpin in an industrial food system that is destroying the web of life — from pollinators to soil to human health,” said Kendra Klein, deputy director of science at Friends of the Earth. “Retailers have both the power and responsibility to accelerate a transition to safer, more resilient agriculture. The leaders on this Scorecard prove that progress is possible — and consumers are demanding it.”

Pesticide impacts extend beyond pollinators

All major classes of commonly used pesticides threaten the soil organisms essential for carbon sequestration, water conservation, and climate resilience. These chemicals also harm human health—from the farmworkers who face daily exposure to consumers who encounter dozens of pesticide residues in their diets. A growing body of research shows even low-level exposures can pose serious risks to infants and children, yet federal standards fail to adequately protect vulnerable populations.

Retailers hold the key to systemwide change

The sector’s largest players — including Walmart, Kroger, Costco, Amazon, Albertsons, and Target — control an estimated $754 billion in annual grocery sales, giving them immense leverage to drive pesticide reduction across U.S. agriculture.

The Bee-Friendly Retailer campaign is supported by more than 100 beekeeping, farming, farmworker, consumer, and environmental organizations, including the Campaign for Healthier Solutions, which works with dollar stores to eliminate hazardous chemicals from store shelves.

Friends of the Earth fights to protect our environment and create a healthy and just world. We speak truth to power and expose those who endanger people and the planet. Our campaigns work to hold politicians and corporations accountable, transform our economic systems, protect our forests and oceans, and revolutionize our food & agriculture systems.