PFAS still in use throughout Europe

Study shows PFAS is widely used across Europe. Photo courtesy of Getty Images/OlenaMykhaylova

The use of health-harming PFAS chemicals in disposable food packaging and tableware is a widespread practice across Europe, as shown in a recent study undertaken by Czech NGO Arnika, in cooperation with the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), CHEM Trust and six other non-profit organizations in Europe. Out of 42 samples sent for analysis, 32 samples including packaging from major global fast-food chains such as McDonald's, KFC, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts, showed an intentional treatment with PFAS. Findings in the study include:

PFAS are widely used in disposable food packaging and tableware in Europe; 38 out of the 99 samples (38%) collected from takeaways, supermarkets and e-shops in 6 European countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) are suspected to have been treated with PFAS chemicals in order to achieve oil repellency.
32 out of 42 samples selected for chemical analysis (76%) show intentional treatment with PFAS.
Traces of PFAS were detected in all samples selected for lab analysis including samples not intentionally treated with PFAS.
99% of the organic fluorine present in selected samples is not captured by the laboratory’s compound-specific analysis of 55 PFAS, meaning it is impossible to identify the present PFAS compounds with certainty.

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Kristen Kazarian is the Former Managing Editor of Food Engineering magazine. She was previously Editor in Chief at Packaging Strategies. Kristen has worked for a variety of publications covering industries such as health and fitness, computer programming, first responders, fashion, automotive and education, as well as local news.