Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Updated April 24, 2024

What is PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals used in a number of consumer products. Due to the resistance to grease, oil, water and heat, PFAS have been used in the food industry as a coating on paper wrappers and containers that come into contact with food, such as fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, and pet food bags. In addition, PFAS are also used in non-stick applications for cookware and some food processing equipment.

Why are PFAS a concern?

PFAS have the ability to accumulate and persist in the environment due to their slow degradation rates. There is also concern that PFAS have a potential impact on health when our bodies are exposed over time.

PFAS have received more attention from the public in the last few years, in part due to pressures from consumer groups and increased activity from federal and state bodies looking at ways to limit or phase out these substances.

How are PFAS being monitored in the food supply?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized specific PFAS for use in food contact applications. To ensure food contact substances are safe for their intended use, the FDA conducts a rigorous review of scientific data prior to their authorization for market entry. The FDA’s authorization of a food contact substance requires that available data and information demonstrate that there is a reasonable certainty of no harm under the intended conditions of use. There are currently 8 PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA ⌈GenX⌉, PFBS, PFBA, and PFHxA) that are being monitored specifically due to their toxicological reference values that are used to assess the potential human health concern for levels found in food.

FDA’s testing of the general food supply has shown that few food samples have detectable PFAS and those that do, have very low levels. In April 2024, FDA shared updates on recent test results on dietary exposure to PFAS from the food supply. Approximately 1,300 samples were tested for the Total Diet Study (TDS). Results of 95 samples from one regional collection were shared. PFAS was detected in eight samples (two beef, two cod, and one sample each of shrimp, salmon, catfish and tilapia). The FDA stated that the levels of PFAS found in the samples are not likely to be a health concern to young children or the general population.

The FDA is continuing to research methods to monitor the market for PFAS in food packaging applications and continuing to research better testing methods to detect these chemicals in the food industry.

What is being done to mitigate PFAS in the environment and in the food supply?

In June 2020, the FDA urged manufacturers to end the use of certain PFAS. Though most companies exited the market prior to the original phase-out date, in February 2024, FDA announced the fulfillment of the voluntary “phase out” by the industry of these chemicals used in food packaging for grease proofing and has since confirmed manufacturers have stopped the sale of PFAS in this application in the U.S.

In April 2024, EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) range from 4 to 10 parts per trillion (ppt). Public water systems have deadlines in 2027 to complete initial monitoring and provide levels of PFAS in drinking water to the public and by 2029 to implement a solution to reduce the PFAS in drinking water. Chemicals that are being regulated in this ruling are listed below.

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonate)
PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)
HFPO-DA (Gen-X chemicals)
Mixture containing two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid)