DEEP DIVE: U.S. FDA Ends Sales of Food Packaging Containing PFAS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 28 February 2024 that manufacturers have ceased sales of grease-proofing substances containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While the move was applauded by some, others said the measure was overdue and criticized the FDA for failing to credit state-led efforts to phase out PFAS.

While the original commitment letters the FDA received from the manufacturers said their products containing these food contact substances could take up to 18 months to exhaust their inventory from the last date of sale, most of the companies have already met their objectives to phase out the PFAS-containing products.