PFAS Used in Grease-Proofing Agents for Food Packaging is No Longer Sold in U.S.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), grease-proofing substances containing Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)¹ are no longer sold for food contact use in the U.S. market since February 28, 2024.²

Grease-proofing substances are applied on paper and paperboard packaging to prevent the leaking of grease and oil, and to achieve water-resistance. The substances containing PFAS were frequently used in fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, take-out paperboard containers, pet food bags, as well as other similar types of packaging.

However, in 2020, FDA received data showing potential safety concerns about a subset of the substances that contained a specific short-chain PFAS known as 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH).

To protect public health, the FDA worked with the food industry to reach voluntary market-phase-out agreements for all grease-proofers that contain 6:2 FTOH. FDA obtained market-phase-out commitment letters from manufacturers of PFAS grease-proofing agents that contain this substance. Later, in 2023, the FDA received confirmation from manufacturers of all remaining authorized grease-proofing substances containing different types of PFAS, that they had already ceased to produce and sell those products for business reasons unrelated to safety.

According to FDA, this announcement marks the fulfilment of these voluntary commitments, eliminating the primary source of dietary exposure to PFAS from food contact uses. In addition, the FDA has confirmed that other manufacturers had already voluntarily stopped sales of other food contact substances, including different types of PFAS, intended for use as grease-proofing agents in the U.S.