PFAS in Food Packaging: A 2022 Regulatory Overview

Introduction:

Besides municipal drinking water systems, PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — have also been identified in commercial food packaging, where the chemicals‘ nonstick and grease- proof properties were widely exploited. At issue is not only the potential for transfer from packaging to food items and accumulation in human consumers, but PFAS in fast-food wrappers, bags, boxes and bowls can also be released to the environment upon introduction to composting facilities and landfills. In our continuing series on PFAS, we explore what is currently known about the potential risks from exposure to PFAS in food packaging, the challenges of constantly evolving analytical techniques used to evaluate very small quantities of PFAS, and the state of the regulatory climate as of mid-2022.

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Author: Dr. Ann Schnitz