With packaging, we often first ask whether it is paper, plastic or recyclable. Assessing PFAS also requires knowing how the material has been treated and which properties it needs when in contact with food.
The coating is part of the product
PFAS have been used to increase the grease resistance of paper and cardboard packaging. In February 2024, FDA announced the end of US sales of PFAS-containing grease-proofing agents for this purpose. This concerns a specific market and use; it does not prove that all packaging everywhere is PFAS-free. FDA: PFAS in food and packaging.
The same applies to straws. The base material does not reliably establish the finished product’s chemical composition. For a specific supply, request documentation covering additives and surface treatments, not just the material name.
Food can have several PFAS sources
EFSA explains that PFAS can enter food through contaminated water and soil, animal feed, packaging or processing equipment. Finding PFAS in food therefore does not identify packaging as the sole cause without further investigation. EFSA: food contamination pathways.
How larger buyers can organise procurement
For caterers, public kitchens and food businesses, review packaging by its actual use. Supplier questionnaires should specify food type, temperature, contact time and required grease resistance. Then compare proposed materials and their composition declarations.
If PFAS verification is required, define the evidence needed in advance. A composition declaration, raw material data and laboratory testing of the finished product answer different questions. Testing should make clear what was measured and how the result supports the intended use.
Water remains a separate part of monitoring
In a production facility, review the water source and points of contact with raw materials or products. If PFAS are detected, plan checks on individual process waters before selecting filtration. This separates incoming water quality from packaging or other process issues.
A sound purchasing decision is therefore not just about replacing plastic with paper. It depends on the suitability of the whole product for its purpose and traceable data linked to the specific supply.
