Connecticut Releases PFAS Action Plan

Connecticut has published an action plan on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that includes several recommendations related to food packaging. The PFAS Action Plan was developed by the Connecticut Interagency PFAS Task Force, which Governor Ned Lamont established on July 8, 2019.  Governor Lamont charged the PFAS Task Force to develop an action plan to minimize health risks for Connecticut residents’ resulting from PFAS exposure, to minimize future releases of PFAS to the environment, and to address historic releases of PFAS to the environment.

Among the recommended intermediate actions impacting food packaging are:

• Evaluate PFAS levels in compost derived from food waste containing compostable food containers, disposable cutlery, and/or PFAS-treated paper products.
• Convene an ad hoc group to review the most current research and nationwide actions regarding food packaging, consumer products, and the recycling thereof. Develop recommendations for reducing PFAS exposures, such as considering an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for effective management of waste from PFAS-containing products.

The task force also identified potential legislative opportunities to reduce PFAS exposure, such as requiring all water bottlers that sell bottled water in Connecticut to test their products for PFAS and evaluating whether the State can require manufacturers to disclose PFAS content in Safety Data Sheets and product labeling.