Can PFAS be found in food packaging?
Yes. A 2026 study detected at least one PFAS in 64% of tested paper and plastic food-contact packaging samples.
What is actually in it
PFAS are fluorinated chemicals used in some food-contact materials. They can help packaging resist grease, oil, or moisture.
The key issue is direct food contact. If packaging is treated with PFAS, it adds another possible exposure source around meals.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Chemosphere validated a method for measuring 73 PFAS across 15 classes in paper and plastic food-contact materials.
Researchers then tested 66 packaging samples that had direct contact with grocery foods. They detected 9 PFAS, and at least one PFAS was found in 64% of samples. The most common was 6:2 diPAP, found in 61% of samples.
The same study did not find evidence that PFAS transferred from those tested packaging samples to the foods from a previous study. Still, moving leftovers or takeout out of packaging and into glass storage is a simple way to reduce food contact with treated packaging.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer food packaging. | Chemosphere | 2026 |