PFAS in Food Packaging: Risks and Responses
- Karine Morel
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Table of content
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known by the acronym PFAS, are chemicals that are ubiquitous in our daily lives. They are found in a wide range of products, from food packaging to waterproof textiles. However, their persistent nature and their impact on the environment and human health are raising growing concerns.
Definition of PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are chemicals widely used in many industrial and consumer products due to their unique properties.
They are known for their water resistance and grease barrier properties.
They are found in everyday products such as food packaging, waterproof textiles, personal care products, and firefighting foams.
Importance of their use in various products
PFAS are widespread in our daily lives. They are present in food packaging, textiles, cosmetics, non-stick coatings (frying pans), and more.
Environmental and human health concerns
However, PFAS are “forever chemicals” that do not easily degrade in the environment.
Their widespread presence in water, soil, and air is a growing concern. Governments are particularly worried due to their toxicity and their ability to accumulate in living organisms, including humans.
Studies have linked PFAS to various adverse health effects.
They are known to disrupt the endocrine system, potentially causing hormonal imbalances and health problems, including reproductive disorders, developmental issues, and immune system dysfunctions.
In addition, studies have shown that exposure to PFAS is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Regulation
Because of these concerns, many regulations are being put in place to limit the use of PFAS and reduce their presence in the environment.
At the European level
The European REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is legislation implemented to ensure the safety of the manufacture and use of chemical substances in Europe.
REACH aims to protect people and the environment by ensuring that all chemical substances used in Europe are properly registered, evaluated, and controlled.
The POP regulation (Persistent Organic Pollutants), established by the Stockholm Convention, has progressively banned several hazardous chemical substances:
PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) since 2009
PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) since July 2020
PFHxS (perfluorohexanesulfonic acid) since June 2022
These bans apply not only to pure chemical substances, but also when they are components of finished products or incorporated into mixtures, provided that their concentration exceeds certain specific thresholds.
The regulation therefore ensures that exposure to these hazardous substances is limited, whether they are present in individual products, manufactured articles, or chemical preparations.
Next, there are European standards regulating the quality of water intended for human consumption, defined in the European Drinking Water Directive.
Annex I of the European EDCH Directive specifies the maximum authorised concentrations for PFAS. These limits aim to ensure consumer safety and health by controlling the presence of potentially harmful substances in drinking water.
The European directive on priority substances for water policy, dated 12 August 2013, establishes an environmental quality standard for PFOS and its derivatives.
Finally, there is Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. This regulation concerns plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs.
This regulation establishes either limits of use, particularly for ammonium salts of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFPoA (potassium perfluorooctanoate), or specific migration limits expressed in milligrams of substance per kilogram of food.
In other words, it sets thresholds that must not be exceeded for the presence of certain substances in plastic packaging intended to come into contact with food, in order to ensure food safety.
At the national level
French laws incorporate European Union directives and regulations. These include in particular:
Ordinance No. 2022-1611 of 22 December 2022 relating to access to and quality of water intended for human consumption
The decree of 2 February 1998 on emissions from the majority of installations classified for the protection of the environment (ICPE) subject to authorisation, which mentions PFOS by setting a concentration limit value of 25 µg/L in water discharged into the natural environment
The monitoring programme for the state of water in France, recently revised by the decree of 26 April 2022, which includes for groundwater the 20 PFAS listed by the EDCH Directive of December 2020, and PFOS for surface waters
Innovation at CGP Coating Innovation
At CGP, we place the environment at the heart of our strategies. We promote the circular economy by developing new products that meet environmental challenges.
Our transition packaging solutions are sustainable alternatives to plastics.
We have developed heat-sealable packaging kraft PACKOKRAFT® and heat-sealable paper bundling bands BANDOKRAFT®.
In particular, PACKOKRAFT BIO is a heat-sealable packaging kraft coated by dispersion, plastic-free and bio-based!
Conclusion
In conclusion, PFAS represent a major challenge for human and environmental health. They are omnipresent in our daily lives and persist in the ecosystem. Their harmful effects on health require rigorous regulatory action.
Certain initiatives have been essential steps toward reducing exposure to PFAS. However, additional measures at national and international levels are expected to effectively control these substances and protect public and environmental health.
Our team will help you find the solution that meets your needs.