OTHER INITIATIVES

Pollinators are essential to global food production, responsible for about one in every three bites we eat. Yet bee populations are in alarming decline due to pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and disease. As You Sow advocates for stronger corporate policies to eliminate harmful insecticides, support pollinator-friendly supply chains, and improve transparency around pesticide use. Our engagement with food and agriculture companies pushes for measurable reductions in chemical exposure and protection of the biodiversity that underpins healthy ecosystems and secure food systems. 

Bisphenol A is a chemical widely used in plastics and food/beverage can linings, and it is one of the most pervasive endocrine disruptors in consumer products. Even low-level exposure has been linked to developmental, reproductive, and metabolic disorders including obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Through shareholder advocacy and corporate engagement, As You Sow works with manufacturers and retailers to eliminate BPA from packaging, replace it with safer alternatives, and improve product labeling to inform consumers. Our ongoing efforts promote chemical safety, innovation, and corporate transparency. 

Nanotechnology has transformed manufacturing and food processing, but the health and environmental effects of nanoparticles remain poorly understood. These ultra-fine materials can behave differently from larger particles and may penetrate biological barriers. As You Sow promotes a precautionary approach to nanomaterials in food, cosmetics, and packaging, encouraging companies to disclose their use, invest in safety research, and adopt responsible innovations to prevent harm before it occurs. Please see our reports on this topic: 

• Framework for Sourcing Nanomaterials for Food and Food Packaging 

• Slipping Through the Cracks: An Issue Brief on Nanomaterials in Foods.  

Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death, and research shows that exposure to smoking in entertainment increases youth tobacco initiation. As You Sow engaged film studios and media companies to eliminate tobacco imagery in youth-rated productions and to disclose any ties to the tobacco industry. Through our Tobacco Free Funds platform, we also help investors identify and avoid holdings connected to tobacco companies. By aligning media and investment practices with public health goals, we work to reduce the next generation’s exposure to tobacco influence.