Independent testing of more than 100 packaging products from US restaurant and grocery chains identified PFAS chemicals in many of the wrappers, a Consumer Reports investigation has found.
The potentially dangerous forever chemicalswere found in food packaging including paper bags for french fries, wrappers for hamburgers, molded fiber salad bowls and single-use paper plates.
They were found in the packaging from every retailer CR looked at, including fast-food chains such as Burger King and McDonalds and places that promote healthier fare, such as Cava and Trader Joes.
CR tested multiple samples from 118 food packaging products. More than half of them showed evidence of PFAS, while nearly a third of those tested had levels that were higher than the threshold supported by CR experts.
In recent decades, PFAS exposure has been linked to a growing list of health problems, including immune system suppression, lower birth weight and increased risk for some cancers.
PFAS can also be found in nonstick pans, waterproof gear, and grease-resistant packaging that holds food from takeout and supermarkets. Although packaging made with PFAS may seem like paper or cardboard, it is not as durable as plastic. However, PFAS packaging does not allow for the leakage of salad dressing and oil.
Justin Boucher from the Food Packaging Forum, an international non-profit research group based in Switzerland, said that we know these substances migrate into food you consume. Its clear, direct exposure.
Thats especially likely when food is fatty, salty or acidic, according to a 2021 review in the journal Foods. Research suggests that PFAS levels may be higher in those who eat out regularly.
Another concern is that packaging can endup in landfills and can contaminate water or soil.
Environmental advocates and health advocates have been pushing for the restriction of PFAS in food packaging. Some fast-food and fast-casual restaurants as well as many grocery stores have stated that they have taken steps in order to reduce PFAS levels in their food packaging, or plan to phase it out.
Despite claims that they are moving away from PFAS, CRs tests also revealed that chemicals were found in packaging from some retailers. However, these levels were often lower then at other retailers. Our testing has shown that it is possible for retailers use packaging with very low PFAS concentrations, according to Brian Ronholm of CR’s food policy department. The good news is that there are steps companies can now take to reduce their use.
Searching for PFAS
The first known PFAS in the US was accidentally discovered in 1938 by a 27-year-old chemist named Roy Plunkett and in the decades since it and related chemicals have been added to a wide variety of products to make them resistant to heat, water, oil and corrosion.
These practically indestructible compounds, which are formed when the elements carbon & fluorine fuse, can be found in air and water, as they can also be found in food and our bodies.
It is difficult to identify the exact type of PFAS present in a product. There are more than 9,000 PFAS known, but common testing methods can only identify a few dozen.
CR tested products for total organic fluorine content. This is the most straightforward way to determine a product’s PFAS level. Graham Peaslee PhD, a professor of physics and chemistry at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, has studied PFAS in food packaging.
Another complication: PFAS is used so widely found in ink on food containers, recycled paper, machines that make packaging and more that it often shows up in products unintentionally.
Scientists and regulators continue to debate the level of organic fluorine that is indicative of intentional use. California has banned intentionally-added PFAS. Beginning in January 2023 paper food packaging must contain less than 100 parts of organic fluorine. Denmark settled on 20ppm for the threshold. Experts in CRs also supported this limit.
Peaslee states that if they can reach 100ppm they should be able get to 20ppm. Lower is always the ultimate goal.
CR tested multiple samples of 118 different products and calculated the average organic Fluorine levels for each. CR detected the element in more that half of the food packaging it tested. Almost a third 37 products had organic fluorine levels above 20ppm, and 22 were above 100ppm.
Nearly all of the 24 retailers CR reviewed had at most one product above this level. Many had more than one. However, almost all retailers also had products below this level. Nathans produced the two highest average levels, but the chain also had four products that were below 20ppm. CR was told by Nathans that it was redesigning its packaging and had removed the high-level items. Chick-fil-A had the item with CR’s next highest level.
The results of the tests do not reflect all packaging from a retailer. Also, packaging may have changed since CR conducted them.
Putting PFAS claims to the test
CR looked at retailers that claimed to be phasing out PFAS, including Cava, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Sweetgreen, and Whole Foods Market.
The 13 products that the companies claimed had reduced PFAS still contained some organic fluorine. Seven were over 20ppm. They ranged from a Whole Foods soup container with 21ppm organic fluorine the only Whole Foods item to exceed the 20ppm limit to a paper bag for pita chips from Cava with 260ppm.
Responding to CR’s questions, companies said that PFAS are so prevalent in the environment that it was almost impossible to eradicate them completely. Sweetgreen, for instance, stated that there might be trace amounts in our bowls of fluorine. PFAS are a problem that is widespread and can be found in every aspect of our daily lives, from water to air to soil. Whole Foods stated that they do not make PFAS-free claims, but have worked hard to reduce the amount of PFAS in packaging. Panera and Chipotle said that their goal was to eliminate packaging containing intentionally added PFAs.
Cava stated that the company’s transition to eliminating added PFAS had been hampered by supply chain problems. Cava stated that it expected to complete this process by the end 2022. The company also said that it had updated its public statements in order to reflect the new timeline.
Michael Hansen, senior scientist at CR acknowledges that traces of PFAS could be inevitable in food packaging. He says that no company should claim that their products are free from PFAS. He also stated that CRs testing show that even very low levels are possible, and should be a goal.
- Limiting how often you eat takeout food could help.
- Look out for retailers that have committed to reducing PFAS. Although they are not at zero, they are usually lower than the national average.
- Do not assume that products with environmental friendly claims are free from PFAS. Consumer Reports tested every product that made such claims and found at least some organic flavone. Several even had levels above 100 ppm. That included a McDonalds Big Mac container labeled as using paper from responsible sources, a focaccia bag from Sweetgreen labeled EcoCraft, and paper plates from Stop & Shop labeled as 100% compostable. (After being contacted by CR, Stop & Shop said it was removing the plates from shelves.) To be certified as compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute, products are supposed to have less than 100 ppm organic fluorine.
- Transfer takeout food out of its packaging, to make it less likely PFAS will migrate to your food. That may be especially important if your food is warm and if it comes in paper bags or molded fiber bowls, which had the highest levels in CRs tests.
- Ideally, put food into foil, silicone, or glass containers, which typically dont have PFAS.
- Dont reheat food in its original packaging.
- Test your water for PFAS. If the level is high, consider using a water filter.
- Limit exposure from other sources. The biggest risk is from cumulative exposure over time. Water-repellent clothing and stain-resistant carpeting are products known to have PFAS.
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Quick Guide
How to avoid PFAS in takeaway food wrappers
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Tips on reducing exposure to ‘forever chemicals’
- Limiting how often you eat takeout food could help.
- Favor retailers that have pledged to reduce PFAS. While their levels are not zero, they tend to be somewhat lower.
- Dont assume products with environmentally friendly claims are PFAS-free. Consumer Reports tests detected at least some organic fluorine in every product with those kinds of claims. Several even had levels above 100 ppm. Several of these included a McDonald’s Big Mac container that was labeled “using paper from responsible sources”, a Sweetgreen focaccia bag labeled EcoCraft and Stop & Shop paper plates that were 100% compostable. Stop & Shop informed CR that it would be removing the plates from its shelves. Products must have less than 100ppm organic fluorine to be certified compostable by Biodegradable Products Institute.
- To reduce the risk of PFAS transferring to your food, take out food from restaurants. This is especially important if you have warm food or if the packaging contains molded fiber bowls or paper bags. These items had the highest levels of PFAS in CRs tests.
- It is best to place food in foil, silicone, and glass containers that don’t contain PFAS.
- Do not heat food in its original packaging.
- Check your water for PFAS. Use a water filter to reduce the risk.
- Limit exposure from other sources. Cumulative exposure over time poses the greatest risk. Products with PFAS are known to include water-repellent clothing, and stain-resistant carpeting.
Protecting the next generation
Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at CR, and others say the federal government should regulate PFAS as a group. He believes that it is impossible to ban individual PFAs. Industry comes up with new ones as soon as one is addressed.
The Environmental Protection Agency now has guidance levels on just two PFAS PFOS and PFOA and just in drinking water. Philippe Grandjean, a professor of Environmental Medicine and expert on PFAS health hazards, said that even those levels are too high.
Research from the EPA and other sources confirms that many of the newer PFAS chemicals will likely remain in the environment almost indefinitely, posing health risks to infants.
Grandjean states that the next generation is being exposed at the most vulnerable period of their development to these toxic compounds.
Ronholm states that it is long past due to get PFAS removed from products, water, food, and beverages.
Full Consumer Reports food packaging test results
These results show levels of total organic fluorine, a measure of PFAS, in 118 food packaging products gathered from large fast-food and fast-casual restaurants, as well as supermarkets. PFAS in food packaging have been linked potentially to harms to health and the environment. Products with two redsquares have at least 100 parts per Million organic fluorine. California will soon ban food packaging that exceeds this level. Products with one red square have 20ppm organic fluorine or more, a stricter standard for food packaging set by Denmark. CR supports a lower cutoff.
