FDA Surveying Grease-Proofed Food Contact Paper and Packaging for PFAS
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a surveillance sampling assignment to monitor the presence of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in grease-proofed food contact paper and packaging. Sampling began March 2024 and is expected to continue through September 2024. The surveillance follows a voluntary manufacturer phase-out of PFAS 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) in 2020. (See the PackagingLaw.com article FDA Announces PFAS Used in Grease-Proofing Agents for Food Packaging Are No Longer Sold in the U.S. for more information on the voluntary manufacturer phase-out.)
FDA intends to collect 150 samples of grease-proofed food contact paper, molded fiber food contact articles, and packaging during routine inspections of domestic food manufacturers. Products of interest include butter or margarine paper and wrap, microwave popcorn bags, frozen entrée molded fiber trays and boards, and boxed fatty shelf-stable food boxes and cartons. The samples will be qualitatively tested for the presence of PFAS in grease-proof coating applications.
According to the Agency’s notice, FDA does not anticipate enforcement action as a result of this initial surveillance sampling.
In May 2024, FDA told the 2024 Keller & Heckman Paper Packaging Law Seminar that compliance action may follow future surveillance samplings.
(Listen to the Food & Chemicals Unpacked episode for more information on Federal and State level developments pertaining to PFAS in food packaging.)