In a world where convenience is king, our meals often come wrapped in mystery. The packaging that preserves our food’s freshness may contain compounds that warrant closer examination – PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s. Their high resistance to heat, oil and water makes them prevalent in food packaging. According to a 2022 report, PFAS were detected in the packaging of nearly half of fast food restaurants sampled in the United States. In Europe, a 2020 study found PFAS in roughly 32% of food packaging samples tested across six countries.
Pizza boxes, fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags all rely on PFAS to prevent sogginess and extend shelf life. While these properties make them ideal for the food industry, these benefits come with potential environmental and health risks due to their long-term persistence and potential to enter the food chain.
PFAS can migrate from the packaging into foods, especially if they are fatty, salty or acidic, leading to direct exposure through consumption. When discarded, PFAS-containing packaging can contaminate water and soil through landfills or spread through the air if incinerated.
While the full impact of PFAS exposure is still being researched, emerging studies have suggested that exposure to PFAS could potentially lead to a variety of health issues, such as immune system suppression and potentially heightened risks for certain cancers.
The discovery of PFAS in unexpected products keeps this issue at the forefront of environmental and public health discussions worldwide. These compounds are not just a fleeting concern; they persist in the environment and could have implications for our health for generations to come, making vigilance, continued research and proactive testing and mitigation measures essential.
Global regulatory efforts
Regulators worldwide are taking steps to address PFAS concerns. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has regulated certain PFAS in drinking water for years and many states have implemented their own regulations for PFAS in food packaging.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned sales of grease-proofing materials containing PFAS. In 2023, the FDA introduced testing methods for 30 PFAS compounds in food, signalling a move towards clearer regulatory standards.
Beyond the United States, other countries and global organizations are restricting and regulating PFAS. The European Union enforced a regulation to limit PFAS levels in food and proposed regulations for various products, including food packaging. Canada is also addressing PFAS in food packaging and other consumer products.
International bodies such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants are working to establish global guidelines and frameworks for managing PFAS and their environmental impacts.
Testing and building consumer trust
Advanced analytical methods, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), can detect and quantify ultra-trace levels of PFAS in food packaging materials.
The testing process involves sample collection, extraction, clean-up, instrumental analysis, data interpretation and reporting. These highly sensitive techniques are important for understanding exposure risks, meeting emerging regulatory standards and maintaining consumer confidence.
Testing is critical as the food industry actively seeks alternatives to PFAS in response to regulatory guidelines. Many companies have started to phase out long-chain PFAS and replace them with shorter-chain alternatives or non-fluorinated compounds in their packaging.
However, the safety of these substitutes also requires further evaluation through rigorous analysis. Routine testing of raw materials and final products is becoming increasingly important to verify PFAS levels and explore safer alternatives.
Effective supply chain management is also essential to consistently use PFAS-free or low-PFAS materials throughout production. This may involve supplier audits, certification programmes and traceability systems to verify the safety of raw materials and packaging components. Improved labelling and consumer education campaigns can raise awareness about the potential risks of PFAS and promote informed choices.
To stay compliant, minimize legal risks, and reassure consumers, food packaging manufacturers should regularly test for PFAS. This includes testing raw materials, monitoring levels during manufacturing, and exploring validated safer alternatives. These steps ensure compliance with evolving regulations, prevent contamination and maintain consumer trust amid growing environmental awareness.
Moving forward
The persistence of these compounds demands our vigilance through enhanced testing to understand and potentially mitigate health risks. Greater transparency from manufacturers regarding the use of PFAS in food packaging is crucial.
By working collaboratively, regulatory agencies, companies, researchers and consumers can contribute to shaping a future where food packaging safeguards public health and the environment while meeting the demands of modern food production and distribution.
Striking the right balance between convenience and responsible practices will require ongoing efforts from all stakeholders. Only through this collective commitment can we ensure a safe and sustainable future for the food industry and the well-being of our communities.
(Lorna De Leoz is the Global Food Segment Director, Agilent Technologies)
This article was first published in the World Economic Forum. You can read the original article here.
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