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However, there are few guidelines about what levels of PFAS in food packaging, if any, are potentially harmful. FDA studies of rodents also found that some PFAS chemicals in grease-resistant paper can bioaccumulate in the body. Less studied are health hazards from PFAS in packaging, where the chemicals give material a reflective sheen.Ī 2019 study by Silent Spring Institute found people who ate at home had on average lower PFAS levels in their blood than those who ate fast food or ate more frequently at restaurants including pizza places. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to increased cancer risk, developmental delays in children, damage to organs such as the liver and thyroid, increased cholesterol levels and reduced immune functions, especially among young children, according to the U.S. Individual chemistries have different uses, as well as environmental and health profiles." "The mere presence of PFAS does not indicate a health risk," Flanagin said. But his group opposes what he described as "unscientific, 'one-size-fits-all' restrictions on the entire class of PFAS chemistries." Tom Flanagin, a spokesman for the American Chemistry Council, said his group supports the Food and Drug Administration's agreement with several manufacturers to voluntary phase out some PFAS chemicals used in substances applied to food packaging. "Basically eating or drinking is one of the biggest sources of exposure." "We have much, much higher potential for exposure to these kinds of chemicals to everybody in the population, not just certain segments of the population," she said. "One of the concerns is that, especially with the pandemic, we've seen just this huge increase in food packaging, delivery, takeout," said Sheela Sathyanarayana, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Research Institute whose 2021 study found 16 different PFAS chemicals in the breast milk of mothers. And, this year, Consumer Reports found eight restaurants, including McDonald's, Burger King and Cava, had packaging that had more than 100 parts per million of fluorine, which indicates likely presence of PFAS. Tests by Toxic-Free Future in 2018 produced similar results. Several groups have maintained that many major brands use packaging with PFAS and that testing at times showed extremely high levels.Ī 2017 study by the Massachusetts-based nonprofit research organization Silent Spring Institute found PFAS in almost half of paper wrappers and 20% of boxes from 27 fast food outlets.

They contend there are safer alternatives.

in compost or is incinerated where the chemicals can leach into groundwater or soil. Opponents of the practice argue the packaging poses a danger to consumers and the environment, since the waste ends up in landfills. Known as "forever chemicals" for their persistence in the environment, they have been used for decades to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through wrappers, boxes and bags. McDonald's later announced it would remove PFAS from all its packaging.Įnvironmental and health groups are pushing dozens of fast food companies, supermarkets chains and other retail outlets to remove PFAS chemicals from their packaging. No one has time to cook anymore," said Hampton who teamed with the environmental health advocacy group Toxic-Free Future to spearhead a petition drive last year that collected nearly 75,000 signatures.