A study by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and 18 member groups found toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including banned chemicals, in single-use food packaging like paper, cardboard and plant-based materials from 17 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment, are used for grease resistance but are linked to cancer, infertility, and hormone disruption. They can leach into food, with regular consumption of PFAS-packaged food linked to higher PFAS levels in blood.

There are two sources of exposure to PFAS: direct exposure and indirect exposure. In the case of the former, the study identified 21 specific PFAS, including fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), polyfluorinated alkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), in food packaging. PAPs metabolise into FTOHs and PFCAs, which are linked to health issues such as liver toxicity, mammary gland cancer, reproductive harm and developmental disorders. These PFAS can migrate from packaging into food, with microwave popcorn being a notable example.
Consumers, especially frequent fast-food consumers, are at risk of elevated PFAS levels in their blood, with heightened concerns for youth during critical developmental stages. As for indirect exposure, the study shows single-use takeaway packaging contributes to environmental contamination due to widespread production and disposal.
Manufacturing PFAS-treated materials releases PFAS into air and water, while incineration of discarded packaging emits PFAS, fluorinated greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Residual PFAS in fly ash from incineration can further contaminate the environment when landfilled or used in construction.
Key Findings of the Study
The study tested 119 food packaging and tableware samples made from paper, cardboard, and plant-based molded fibres across 17 countries. Key findings include:
- 64 out of 119 analysed samples (54%) contained PFAS or showed indicators of PFAS presence.
- Microwave popcorn bags most frequently contained PFAS (24 out of 28 samples).
- 4 out of 12 samples of paper packaging for non-greasy food made of recycled paper were contaminated with PFAS. Therefore, recycling PFAS treated paper leads to uncontrolled exposure to these forever chemicals, without any possibility of tracing their presence in recycled materials.
- Moulded plant-based fibre products labelled as biodegradable or compostable had the highest PFAS levels, followed by microwave popcorn bags.
- 4 samples exceeded EU limits for PFOA and long-chain PFCAs, and 53 samples surpassed proposed EU REACH safety thresholds.
- Recycled paper packaging showed PFAS contamination, undermining recycling credibility.
Plant-based moulded fibre packaging marketed as compostable often results in PFAS-contaminated compost, leading to PFAS accumulation in crops grown in treated soil. This highlights the environmental risks associated with improper disposal of PFAS-treated single-use items. The study also identified side-chain fluorotelomer-based polymers (SFPs), which degrade into toxic PFAS, suggesting these should face the same restrictions as other PFAS.
Chemical traceability remains a challenge, with only 2% of positive samples linked to specific PFAS. That means that it is not only challenging to identify the other PFAS present, but also to control them. Despite not being identified individually, concerns exist around the whole class of PFAS due to their ability to persist and accumulate in the environment.
IPEN also highlighted that some global food companies, such as McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Subway, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and Jolly Time, use PFAS-free packaging in certain countries but continue to use PFAS-tainted wrappings in others, despite available alternatives.
Researchers emphasised the need for the food industry to phase out PFAS and called for a global ban to prevent environmental and human health risks. As it is, recycling PFAS-treated paper contributes to uncontrolled exposure and undermines the credibility of recycling by introducing PFAS into recycled products, posing a barrier to a circular economy.
Recommendations
Globally, only a few PFAS are banned and regulations tend to address individual chemicals or small groups. Some regions, like Denmark and certain US states, have stricter rules for PFAS in food packaging, but ultimately no comprehensive global ban exists.
Given the environmental and health risks of “Forever Chemicals”, their non-essential role in food packaging, the availability of safer alternatives and industry readiness for change, a global ban on PFAS is necessary.
Implementing comprehensive screening methods for all PFAS (e.g. total organic fluorine analysis) is critical to minimising human exposure and environmental contamination.
Based on the findings of this study, IPEN urges governments, industries and citizens to take immediate action to address PFAS contamination. National governments should ban PFAS in food contact materials and consumer products, implement universal regulations for all PFAS, ensure ingredient transparency and support transitions to safer alternatives through economic incentives.
Parties to the Stockholm and Basel Conventions should eliminate exemptions for specific PFAS, classify PFAS-contaminated waste as hazardous and set strict global limits for PFAS content. Stakeholders in global chemical management must accelerate the adoption of non-PFAS alternatives, improve transparency and enhance monitoring in recycled materials.
Fast-food chains and retailers should eliminate PFAS from their supply chains, adopt safer alternatives, promote reusable service ware and publicly report their progress.
Citizens can also contribute by using reusable containers and avoiding composting plant fiber packaging treated with PFAS.
A unified global effort is crucial to eliminate PFAS and reduce its harm to health and the environment.
REFERENCES:
Straková, J., Brosché, S., Grechko, V. (2023, December). Forever Chemicals in Single-use Food Packaging and Tableware from 17 Countries. IPEN. 57p.
https://ipen.org/…/ipen-packaging-report-fin-opr…
https://ipen.org/…/single-use-food-packaging-17…