“Safer” PFAS Types Used in Food Packaging Still Hazardous, Study Finds
Replacement per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) heralded as “safe” for use in food packaging may actually break down into toxic PFAS that leach into foods and the environment, suggests a study published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters.
Due to the known exposure risks of using smaller PFAS molecules like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in food-contact materials, many companies have pivoted to using larger polymeric PFAS to make wrappers, bowls, and other fast-food packaging water- and grease-repellant. These polymeric PFAS are promoted as “safer” alternatives that are inert and too heavy to escape from products.