Food packaging containing toxic "forever chemicals" no longer sold in U.S., FDA says

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Source: CBS News/AP

February 28, 2024 / 10:39 PM EST


Fast-food wrappers and packaging that contain so-called forever chemicals are no longer being sold in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.

It's the result of a voluntary effort with U.S. food manufacturers to phase out food contact packaging made with PFAS, the acronym for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which do not degrade and can harm human health.

Starting in 2020, the FDA obtained commitments from U.S. food manufacturers to phase out PFAS in wrappers, boxes and bags with coating to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through. Many fast-food companies and other manufacturers, such as McDonald's, stopped using wrappers containing PFAS before the original phase-out date, the agency added.

PFAS have been linked to health problems affecting cholesterol levels, the function of the liver and the immune system and certain kinds of cancer.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/food-packaging-forever-chemicals-pfas-no-longer-sold-in-u-s-fda/

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Link to FDA NEWS RELEASE - FDA, Industry Actions End Sales of PFAS Used in US Food Packaging

[Think. Again.]

1. This is great news...

I'm curious about whether these packaging materials are still coming into our food systems from out of the country though.

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2. The agency will probably do surveillance

and Import Alerts/Refusals (in conjunction with Customs) if there are any imports of that packaging.

[Think. Again.]

3. Public alerts, similar to how food recalls are done, would be great!

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4. They do publish Import Alerts

But whether media "cares" or not to publicize them is a different story.

https://www.fda.gov/industry/actions-enforcement/import-alerts

[Think. Again.]

5. But would they publish alerts on PFAS in food packaging?

According to the article, this elimination of PFAS in packaging is a voluntary action on the part of the food industry.

I'm not sure if the concern rises to the level of being on the FDA's alert list.

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6. PFAS chemicals can become "food additives" so that is how they are covered and regulated

It's a nature of the packaging or vessels that hold and then come into contact with food (like pouches, metal/fired-ceramic/clay/plastic containers, etc).

Current (over-arching) Import Alert for food products adulterated by unsafe additives - https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_1173.html

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7. Yes, it is the packaging we're discussing.

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8. And chemicals from the packaging that may leach into food

is considered a "food additive".

[Think. Again.]

9. I didn't realize that, thank you.