FDA Bans PFAS Chemicals in Food Packaging for Healthier Futures

March 10, 2024

The End of ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Food Wrapping: A Closer Look

In a decisive move toward bolstering public health and environmental safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared an end to the use of PFAS, also known as 'forever chemicals', in food packaging. This significant step, culminating from a collaborative phase-out by manufacturers, targets a reduction in major dietary exposure sources to PFAS. The move underscores the FDA’s ongoing commitment to reevaluate and limit harmful food-contact chemicals, marking an important milestone in protecting U.S. consumers and addressing environmental concerns associated with these persistent pollutants.

Read the full story here: PFAS 'forever chemicals' to officially be removed from food packaging, FDA says

Highlights

• The FDA's decision marks the end of harmful 'forever chemicals' usage in food packaging, directly impacting consumer health positively.
• PFAS have been linked to various health risks, including immune system disruptions and decreased fertility, based on diverse studies.
• Environmental accumulation of PFAS, due to their durability and slow breakdown, raises concerns beyond immediate consumer exposure.
• Voluntary phasing out by manufacturers exemplifies the industry's capacity for self-regulation in response to health and environmental evidence.
• Despite the phase-out, the persistence of PFAS in existing products and the environment suggests ongoing exposure risks.
• The FDA plans to continue research and adjust evaluations based on the latest science to ensure effective risk determinations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a drastic shift in the safety protocols concerning food packaging, demanding the elimination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), notorious as 'forever chemicals'. This comes on the heels of a voluntary phase-out initiative by U.S. food packaging manufacturers, aimed at curbing a major source of dietary PFAS exposure. Such chemicals have been widely used in manufacturing food containers, including fast-food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags, which will no longer contain PFAS, signifying a pivotal moment in food safety regulation.

PFAS, characterized by their durability and resistance against water, oil, heat, and stains, pose significant environmental and health risks as they slowly decompose, infiltrating soil, waterways, and ultimately, the human body through consumption or inhalation. This protracted breakdown contributes to the bioaccumulation of PFAS in blood and breast milk, raising alarms over potential health effects. Studies link PFAS exposure to disruptions in the immune system, weight gain, and decreased fertility, prompting this regulatory action as part of larger efforts to reassess and limit harmful chemicals in food-related applications.

Although the FDA’s announcement heralds a significant advancement in consumer safety, it also acknowledges the continued presence of PFAS in the environment. Moreover, experts like Graham Peaslee and Sheela Sathyanarayana emphasize the broader context of PFAS exposure through drinking water, dairy, and meat, suggesting that while removing PFAS from food packaging is crucial, it's but one step towards mitigating the extensive reach of these chemicals. The FDA commits to ongoing research and science-based evaluations to refine risk assessments, ensuring the decision remains relevant amid evolving scientific insights.

Read the full article here.

Essential Insights

• PFAS: A group of synthetic chemicals used for their resistance to water, oil, heat, and stains, known for their durability and long breakdown time.
• FDA: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and food supplies.
• Jim Jones: Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the FDA, who remarked on the milestone in protecting U.S. consumers from harmful food-contact chemicals.
• Graham Peaslee: A professor of physics at the University of Notre Dame who studies PFAS and commented on the protective measure against PFAS.
• Sheela Sathyanarayana: A professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, offering insights on the broader presence of PFAS in the environment.