PFAS in food packaging: Scientists stress improved research needed to understand human risks

25 Oct 2021 --- A new scientific paper is highlighting how more research is needed to improve risk assessments of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food-contact packaging applications. 

Statements from eight researchers across the US flag the need to improve PFAS analytical and quantifying methods. They also seek to close the knowledge gap on how PFAS affect water streams and organ functions.

Advanced research in this field is salient given the potential health and migration concerns associated with PFAS in food contact materials. PFAS in water- and grease-resistant packaging, such as fast-food wrappers, can leach into food and increase dietary exposure.

Concerns about these so-called “forever chemicals” were presented at the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) symposium and published in the Trends in Food Science & Technology journal.

PFAS is a class of over 9,000 hazardous chemicals, of which only a handful have been fully toxicologically studied. The nickname “forever chemicals” was coined as the chemicals do not break down naturally.

Improving analytical methods
Method sensitivity for PFAS detection has been “improved dramatically” in the last few decades by using advanced analytical technologies, reads the paper. 

These technologies include liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

PFAS is a class of over 9,000 hazardous chemicals often used in quick-service food packaging.However, the study flags efforts to improve extraction and clean-up of solid-matrix samples for subsequent analysis on those technologies are still needed to assure instrumental reproducibility and accuracy in workflows across global laboratories.

For example, focused ultrasound solid-liquid extraction has shown to be a low-cost, fast, simple and safe extraction technique with PFAS recoveries on food matrices and popcorn bags of nearly 100%. 

However, neither this study nor many like it address the variable of how reducing particle size could lead to increased extraction efficiency, which “seems to pose a challenge whenever sampling solid matrices,” says the report.

The problem with “forever chemicals”
Next to bisphenol and phthalates, research is bringing to the fore how PFAS are widespread in consumer-facing packaging and potentially damaging to human health.

Last year, a report warned nearly half of all take-out food packaging tested across major US food chains – including Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s – contain potentially toxic chemicals.

Meanwhile, consumer organizations in Italy, Denmark, Spain and France also found toxic chemicals in single-use tableware made of popular non-plastic alternatives, such as disposable plant fiber bowls, paper straws or palm leaf plates. 

Taking action on PFAS
Increased research in this field has motivated NGOs to urge governmental and industry action. A paper published by the American Chemical Society called for “meaningful action” to attenuate the “systematic failures” of US chemical regulation in July.

A month later, the US Food and Drug Administration came under fire from environmental activists for merely admonishing industry against unauthorized substance use. 

Anti-PFAS lobbying has already borne some fruit. Denmark led the move to ban PFAS in food packaging in 2020, with more recent action from the state of California to come into force in 2023.

Packaging manufacturers, such as World Centric, Twin Rivers, Mantrose-Haeuser and Delivery Hero, have taken these regulations into consideration when launching their respective foodservice packaging.

PackagingInsights explored Delivery Hero’s elimination of PFAS in its packaging in a video interview from August.

By Anni Schleicher