"Today we are taking another step to increase food safety in the EU and better protect citizens from harmful chemicals. These new rules show that we put people's health first." Thus the EU Commissioner for Health Stella Kyrikiades commented on the announcement relating to the stricter limits that the EU has decided for the presence of PFAS in food.
The new rules, supported unanimously by the member countries, apply to four types of compounds, all belonging to the group of perfluoroalkyl substances described as forever chemicals because they do not degrade in the environment.The PerFluorinated Alkylated Substances represent a family that brings together dozens of compounds that are used to make fabrics, paper, coatings for food containers resistant to fats and water, but also for the production of photographic films, fire-fighting foams, household cleaners. They can be present in paints and varnishes, drugs and medical devices. PFAS are believed to be emerging ecosystem contaminants.
Extensive use, combined with their persistence, has led to extensive environmental pollution, writes the European Commission. These compounds have been detected in significant concentrations in the environment and in living organisms.The rules that will take effect next year apply to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS). (Source: https://www.foodandtec.com/ )