HEALTH
FDA Says US Food Packaging Will No Longer Contain PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced that food packaging containing so-called forever chemicals are no longer being sold in the U.S.
Packaging and wrappers for items including fast food, microwave popcorn, or takeout containers previously used PFAS, the acronym for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of thousands of chemicals that resist grease, oil, water and heat.
The packaging was a major source of dietary exposure to PFAS, according to the FDA. The chemicals do not degrade, prompting the forever chemicals moniker, and have been linked to serious health effects. The agency has, however, authorized certain PFAS for limited use in cookware, food packaging, and food processing equipment.
The change is the result of a voluntary commitment by manufacturers to not sell food contact substances containing certain PFAS intended for use as grease-proofing agents in the U.S., according to a statement from Jim Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods at the FDA.
This FDA-led effort represents a positive step forward as we continue to reevaluate chemicals authorized for use with, and in, food. It underscores an important milestone in the protection of U.S. consumers from potentially harmful food-contact chemicals, Jones said.
The FDA in 2020 began engaging companies to voluntarily end sales of grease-proofing substances that contain certain PFAS.
Assessing progress of these efforts takes time, Jones said. Various parts of the industry are implementing changes and there are lags in data reporting. However, we are encouraged that through collaboration and a shared interest in the health and welfare of the public, together with industry we can achieve positive health outcomes.
Jones said the agency will continue its research and update its evaluations as necessary to protect the health of U.S. consumers.
TMX contributed to this article.
