However, PFAS are long-lasting chemicals that accumulate over the years. More and more studies have identified PFAS contamination in the environment, including:
Soil, water, and fertilizer near PFAS waste sites
Air
Public drinking water
Plants and animals (such as fish) exposed to PFAS contamination
Since the 1990s, scientists have also detected PFAS in human blood and urine. Research on the adverse health effects of PFAS exposure is ongoing, but animal tests suggest a link to slowed growth and development and an impact on the immune system, reproduction, liver, and thyroid function.
Although many manufacturers and fast-food providers are working to phase out potentially harmful PFAS in their disposable products, you may still find PFAS in food packaging, such as:
Fast-food wrappers
Candy wrappers
Grease-resistant paper
Pizza boxes
Microwave popcorn bags
International, Federal, and State Regulations
As more information emerges about the harmful effects of PFAS, international and federal organizations have proposed regulations on their use. For instance, the European Union’s REACH restricts or bans PFOS, PFOA, their salts, and related compounds.
The EPA has worked to limit the use of PFAS in manufacturing to stave off water and soil contamination. Although the EPA has not enacted enforceable regulations of PFAS in water under the SDWA and CWA, the organization has released health advisories for citizens and manufacturers. Additionally, the FDA requires a scientific review of specific authorized PFAS before their inclusion in cookware and food packaging.
At the state level, several states have passed laws set to enact between 2022 and 2025 that prohibit or limit PFAS in the manufacture and selling of materials such as rugs, carpets, cosmetics, apparel, and various food wrappers. For instance, California’s Proposition 65 lists two prominent PFAS among its materials of concern: PFOS and PFOA. To learn more about how upcoming state laws affect production, click here.
