Global Ban on PFAS in Food Packaging
In recent years, concern over PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” has increased worldwide due to their ability to accumulate in the environment, crops, food, and the human body. This family of thousands of compounds has been used for decades to provide resistance to water, stains, and grease in materials such as textiles, consumer products, and, critically, food packaging in direct contact with edible products.
PFAS are extremely difficult to break down in nature, and their presence has been linked to adverse health effects such as endocrine disruption, liver and kidney damage, and even increased cancer risks. For these reasons, regulators, scientists, and public health organizations are increasingly promoting restrictions and bans on their use in food-contact packaging materials.
What are PFAS and why do they matter in food packaging?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad chemical family that includes thousands of synthetic compounds used for their unique resistance to water, grease, and heat. They have traditionally been used in grease-resistant coatings for food packaging, such as fast-food containers, French fry wrappers, or greaseproof paper for baked goods.
However, their designation as “forever chemicals” comes from the fact that they do not easily degrade in the environment and can migrate from packaging into food, water, the environment, and ultimately the human body. This persistence has raised significant regulatory concern worldwide.
European Union Regulations: Strict Limits and Technical Ban
The European Union is implementing one of the most advanced approaches to regulating PFAS in food-contact packaging materials. Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will enter into force gradually, the EU has established clear limits on the presence of PFAS in packaging intended for food contact.
As of August 12, 2026, all food-contact packaging materials placed on the market must comply with very strict maximum limits:
- No more than 25 ppb (parts per billion) for each individually measured PFAS
- No more than 250 ppb as the sum of specific PFAS
- No more than 50 ppm (parts per million) of total PFAS calculated as fluoride
If total fluorine content exceeds these limits, manufacturers or importers must provide verifiable evidence of traceability and origin.
This approach represents one of the most ambitious regulatory initiatives globally to limit long-lasting toxic substances in food packaging.
Global trends: bans and commitments beyond the EU
The EU is not alone in this regulatory movement. In the United States, although there is not yet a uniform federal ban, the FDA has declared multiple authorizations for PFAS used as grease-resistant coatings in food packaging to be ineffective, as part of a voluntary phase-out process carried out by manufacturers.
In addition, several U.S. states have implemented their own stricter bans. States such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Washington have prohibited the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food packaging with intentionally added PFAS, with enforcement dates that have already begun or will take effect in the coming years.
In Asian countries such as Japan, hundreds of perfluorinated compounds commonly used in food-contact applications have been banned since January 2025, reflecting that this trend is also present across Asia.
Why PFAS are at the center of the regulatory debate
One of the main reasons lawmakers and public health authorities are focusing on PFAS is their environmental and biological persistence. Unlike many other chemicals, PFAS do not break down or eliminate easily, meaning they can accumulate over time in food chains and human tissues.
Scientific studies have found that most PFAS used in food packaging are neither adequately regulated nor sufficiently tested for health risks, which has intensified calls for total bans or stricter control measures.
Impact on the food industry and supply chain
PFAS regulation affects multiple actors across the supply chain, from packaging material manufacturers to distributors and brand owners. Many producers have been required to implement new PFAS-free materials and coatings to comply with regulatory limits and restricted substance lists imposed by major international buyers.
Large food chains and global retailers have announced commitments to eliminate PFAS and other substances such as BPA or phthalates from all their packaging in the coming years, redefining industry standards for food packaging.
Conclusion: stricter regulations and the need for compliance
The ban or restriction of PFAS in food packaging is a global trend that continues to gain momentum. From strict limits in the European Union to state-level bans in the United States and regulatory measures in Asia, companies that manufacture, import, or distribute food products face increasing regulatory pressure to eliminate these chemicals from their packaging.
Complying with these changes not only helps avoid sanctions or product rejections at customs but also represents an opportunity to position your brand as responsible, safe, and aligned with the expectations of increasingly health and environmentally-conscious consumers.
If your company needs to assess its packaging materials, reformulate products, or ensure compliance with the latest global PFAS regulations, contact us for a personalized regulatory compliance assessment.
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In recent years, concern over PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” has increased worldwide due to their ability to accumulate in the environment, crops, food, and the human body. This family of thousands of compounds has been used for decades to provide resistance to water, stains, and grease in materials such as textiles, consumer products, and, critically, food packaging in direct contact with edible products.
PFAS are extremely difficult to break down in nature, and their presence has been linked to adverse health effects such as endocrine disruption, liver and kidney damage, and even increased cancer risks. For these reasons, regulators, scientists, and public health organizations are increasingly promoting restrictions and bans on their use in food-contact packaging materials.
What are PFAS and why do they matter in food packaging?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad chemical family that includes thousands of synthetic compounds used for their unique resistance to water, grease, and heat. They have traditionally been used in grease-resistant coatings for food packaging, such as fast-food containers, French fry wrappers, or greaseproof paper for baked goods.
However, their designation as “forever chemicals” comes from the fact that they do not easily degrade in the environment and can migrate from packaging into food, water, the environment, and ultimately the human body. This persistence has raised significant regulatory concern worldwide.
European Union Regulations: Strict Limits and Technical Ban
The European Union is implementing one of the most advanced approaches to regulating PFAS in food-contact packaging materials. Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will enter into force gradually, the EU has established clear limits on the presence of PFAS in packaging intended for food contact.
As of August 12, 2026, all food-contact packaging materials placed on the market must comply with very strict maximum limits:
- No more than 25 ppb (parts per billion) for each individually measured PFAS
- No more than 250 ppb as the sum of specific PFAS
- No more than 50 ppm (parts per million) of total PFAS calculated as fluoride
If total fluorine content exceeds these limits, manufacturers or importers must provide verifiable evidence of traceability and origin.
This approach represents one of the most ambitious regulatory initiatives globally to limit long-lasting toxic substances in food packaging.
Global trends: bans and commitments beyond the EU
The EU is not alone in this regulatory movement. In the United States, although there is not yet a uniform federal ban, the FDA has declared multiple authorizations for PFAS used as grease-resistant coatings in food packaging to be ineffective, as part of a voluntary phase-out process carried out by manufacturers.
In addition, several U.S. states have implemented their own stricter bans. States such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Washington have prohibited the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food packaging with intentionally added PFAS, with enforcement dates that have already begun or will take effect in the coming years.
In Asian countries such as Japan, hundreds of perfluorinated compounds commonly used in food-contact applications have been banned since January 2025, reflecting that this trend is also present across Asia.
Why PFAS are at the center of the regulatory debate
One of the main reasons lawmakers and public health authorities are focusing on PFAS is their environmental and biological persistence. Unlike many other chemicals, PFAS do not break down or eliminate easily, meaning they can accumulate over time in food chains and human tissues.
Scientific studies have found that most PFAS used in food packaging are neither adequately regulated nor sufficiently tested for health risks, which has intensified calls for total bans or stricter control measures.
Impact on the food industry and supply chain
PFAS regulation affects multiple actors across the supply chain, from packaging material manufacturers to distributors and brand owners. Many producers have been required to implement new PFAS-free materials and coatings to comply with regulatory limits and restricted substance lists imposed by major international buyers.
Large food chains and global retailers have announced commitments to eliminate PFAS and other substances such as BPA or phthalates from all their packaging in the coming years, redefining industry standards for food packaging.
Conclusion: stricter regulations and the need for compliance
The ban or restriction of PFAS in food packaging is a global trend that continues to gain momentum. From strict limits in the European Union to state-level bans in the United States and regulatory measures in Asia, companies that manufacture, import, or distribute food products face increasing regulatory pressure to eliminate these chemicals from their packaging.
Complying with these changes not only helps avoid sanctions or product rejections at customs but also represents an opportunity to position your brand as responsible, safe, and aligned with the expectations of increasingly health and environmentally-conscious consumers.
If your company needs to assess its packaging materials, reformulate products, or ensure compliance with the latest global PFAS regulations, contact us for a personalized regulatory compliance assessment.
In recent years, concern over PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” has increased worldwide due to their ability to accumulate in the environment, crops, food, and the human body. This family of thousands of compounds has been used for decades to provide resistance to water, stains, and grease in materials such as textiles, consumer products, and, critically, food packaging in direct contact with edible products.
PFAS are extremely difficult to break down in nature, and their presence has been linked to adverse health effects such as endocrine disruption, liver and kidney damage, and even increased cancer risks. For these reasons, regulators, scientists, and public health organizations are increasingly promoting restrictions and bans on their use in food-contact packaging materials.
What are PFAS and why do they matter in food packaging?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad chemical family that includes thousands of synthetic compounds used for their unique resistance to water, grease, and heat. They have traditionally been used in grease-resistant coatings for food packaging, such as fast-food containers, French fry wrappers, or greaseproof paper for baked goods.
However, their designation as “forever chemicals” comes from the fact that they do not easily degrade in the environment and can migrate from packaging into food, water, the environment, and ultimately the human body. This persistence has raised significant regulatory concern worldwide.
European Union Regulations: Strict Limits and Technical Ban
The European Union is implementing one of the most advanced approaches to regulating PFAS in food-contact packaging materials. Under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will enter into force gradually, the EU has established clear limits on the presence of PFAS in packaging intended for food contact.
As of August 12, 2026, all food-contact packaging materials placed on the market must comply with very strict maximum limits:
- No more than 25 ppb (parts per billion) for each individually measured PFAS
- No more than 250 ppb as the sum of specific PFAS
- No more than 50 ppm (parts per million) of total PFAS calculated as fluoride
If total fluorine content exceeds these limits, manufacturers or importers must provide verifiable evidence of traceability and origin.
This approach represents one of the most ambitious regulatory initiatives globally to limit long-lasting toxic substances in food packaging.
Global trends: bans and commitments beyond the EU
The EU is not alone in this regulatory movement. In the United States, although there is not yet a uniform federal ban, the FDA has declared multiple authorizations for PFAS used as grease-resistant coatings in food packaging to be ineffective, as part of a voluntary phase-out process carried out by manufacturers.
In addition, several U.S. states have implemented their own stricter bans. States such as Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Washington have prohibited the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food packaging with intentionally added PFAS, with enforcement dates that have already begun or will take effect in the coming years.
In Asian countries such as Japan, hundreds of perfluorinated compounds commonly used in food-contact applications have been banned since January 2025, reflecting that this trend is also present across Asia.
Why PFAS are at the center of the regulatory debate
One of the main reasons lawmakers and public health authorities are focusing on PFAS is their environmental and biological persistence. Unlike many other chemicals, PFAS do not break down or eliminate easily, meaning they can accumulate over time in food chains and human tissues.
Scientific studies have found that most PFAS used in food packaging are neither adequately regulated nor sufficiently tested for health risks, which has intensified calls for total bans or stricter control measures.
Impact on the food industry and supply chain
PFAS regulation affects multiple actors across the supply chain, from packaging material manufacturers to distributors and brand owners. Many producers have been required to implement new PFAS-free materials and coatings to comply with regulatory limits and restricted substance lists imposed by major international buyers.
Large food chains and global retailers have announced commitments to eliminate PFAS and other substances such as BPA or phthalates from all their packaging in the coming years, redefining industry standards for food packaging.
Conclusion: stricter regulations and the need for compliance
The ban or restriction of PFAS in food packaging is a global trend that continues to gain momentum. From strict limits in the European Union to state-level bans in the United States and regulatory measures in Asia, companies that manufacture, import, or distribute food products face increasing regulatory pressure to eliminate these chemicals from their packaging.
Complying with these changes not only helps avoid sanctions or product rejections at customs but also represents an opportunity to position your brand as responsible, safe, and aligned with the expectations of increasingly health and environmentally-conscious consumers.
If your company needs to assess its packaging materials, reformulate products, or ensure compliance with the latest global PFAS regulations, contact us for a personalized regulatory compliance assessment.
