I n a world where convenience is king, our meals often come wrapped in mystery. The packaging that preserves our food’s freshness may contain compounds that warrant closer examination – PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” PFAS are man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s.
Their high resistance to heat, oil and water makes them prevalent in food packaging. According to a 2022 report , PFAS were detected in the packaging of nearly half of fast food restaurants sampled in the United States. In Europe, a 2020 study found PFAS in roughly 32% of food packaging samples tested across six countries.
Pizza boxes, fast food wrappers and microwave popcorn bags all rely on PFAS to prevent sogginess and extend shelf life. While these properties make them ideal for the food industry, these benefits come with potential environmental and health risks due to their long-term persistence and potential to enter the food chain. PFAS can migrate from the packaging into foods, especially if they are fatty, salty or acidic, leading to direct exposure through consumption.
When discarded, PFAS-containing packaging can contaminate water and soil through landfills or spread through the air if incinerated. While the full impact of PFAS exposure is still being researched, emerging studies have suggested that exposure to PFAS could potentially lead to a variety of health issues , such as immune system suppression and potentially heightened risks for certain cancers. The discovery .