USA – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made a significant move to enhance public health by prohibiting the sale of materials containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging.
This action, prompted by concerns regarding potential health risks associated with PFAS exposure, marks a pivotal moment in reassessing the chemicals utilized in food-related contexts.
By announcing this decision, the FDA effectively eliminates a major source of dietary PFAS exposure present in everyday items like popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, and pet food bags.
Moreover, it signifies the culmination of a voluntary commitment by manufacturers to cease the sale of food-contact substances containing specific PFAS as greaseproofing agents in the US.
While PFAS are renowned for their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat, certain variants have been linked to serious health risks.
Prior to this ban, the FDA had granted authorization for restricted applications of certain PFAS in cookware, food packaging, and food processing equipment.
This regulatory action underscores the FDA’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding consumers and reflects the culmination of ongoing research efforts and collaborative initiatives with the industry.
Notably, the agency-initiated discussions with companies in 2020 to discontinue the sale of greaseproofing agents containing specified PFAS types following a comprehensive post-market safety assessment.
The FDA’s prohibition on PFAS in food packaging represents a significant leap forward in ensuring food safety and underscores the critical importance of continuously evaluating the safety of chemicals used in food-related materials.
In a related development, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has called upon food packaging and paper straw manufacturers across the US to provide precise disclosures regarding the PFAS content in their products.
This directive, outlined in an enforcement advisory letter, urges manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of food packaging and cookware to prepare for statewide legislation mandating the disclosure of PFAS content in their products, effective from January next year.
PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are synthetic substances commonly found in products such as food wrappers. Exposure to these chemicals has been associated with various health complications, including liver damage, obesity, fertility issues, and cancer.
In response to these concerns, California implemented legislation in 2021 banning PFAS from paper, paperboard, or plant-based food packaging, as well as from utensils and straws.
The law also requires companies to provide clear online disclosures regarding the chemicals, including PFAS, used in their cookware and bakeware handles and coatings, while prohibiting them from making false claims about their products being PFAS-free.
Expressing his concerns, Attorney General Bonta highlighted the toxic nature of PFAS and reaffirmed his commitment to holding major PFAS manufacturers accountable while supporting federal initiatives aimed at safeguarding Americans’ drinking water supply from PFAS contamination.
He emphasized that the enforcement advisory letter and consumer alert issued signify crucial steps in ongoing efforts to protect Californians from the harmful effects of PFAS exposure.
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