Items Tagged with 'PFAS'

The Environmental Working Group’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce highlights PFAS pesticides for the first time. Although EWG recently updated its methodology, scientists argue it still does not consider key exposure science and risk assessment principles, therefore misleading consumers about the health risks of conventionally grown produce.

As the EU moves to meet goals set for climate neutrality and achieve a circular economy, EU Regulation 2025/40 dictates rules and procedures to reduce packaging waste, without causing adverse risk to the consumer. 

However, concerning levels of arsenic and lead were detected in some products, and Consumer Reports is therefore urging FDA to set limits for these metals in infant formula. PFAS were also found in more than a quarter of products.

Mounting evidence about the health effects, persistence, and bioaccumulation of PFAS has led to public and regulatory scrutiny that brings important implications for food and beverage producers. Begin integrating "forever chemicals" into your risk governance frameworks now to protect your business in the long-term.

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to food science and packaging expert Dr. Claire Sand about the regulatory, sustainability, and technical considerations for food companies regarding chemicals of concern in packaging, and what the future of food packaging might look like.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has published a report on PFAS in agricultural systems to help guide USDA's response to the impacts of agricultural lands polluted by these “forever chemicals.”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed into law the Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act, which prohibits statewide the manufacture and sale of certain consumer goods that contain intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The UK Government’s PFAS Plan addresses human dietary exposure and food and water contamination, environmental monitoring, potentially restricting PFAS uses, and other actions.

An international study has shown that European seafood is high in PFAS, and that fish exports expose consumers in regions of the world with otherwise low levels of pollution to harmful “forever chemicals.” 

Some EU and UK food law changes in development could arrive sooner than expected, and others will take more time to go into effect. This article discusses food law changes to watch for in 2026.