EU bans PFAS in food packaging under new waste rules

New European Union regulations restricting toxic "forever chemicals" in food packaging and setting ambitious targets to reduce packaging waste took effect on Wednesday, marking the start of a phased overhaul of the bloc's rules. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which entered into force in February 2025, applies directly across all 27 member states, replacing a patchwork of national laws based on a 1994 directive.

The immediate measures prohibit food-contact packaging containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, above strict concentration limits from being placed on the EU market. PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals valued for their water- and grease-resistant properties, commonly used in items like pizza boxes, bakery paper, and takeaway containers. However, they are persistent environmental pollutants linked to serious health risks, including liver damage, high cholesterol, immune disorders, and several types of cancer. The European Commission stated that the new limits are intended to reduce human exposure and environmental contamination.

Alongside the chemical restrictions, the regulation introduces traceability requirements, mandating that...