EU Bans 'Forever Chemicals' in Food Packaging

Starting this Wednesday, new European Union regulations will enforce EU-wide limits on PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," within food-contact packaging. These updated rules, which overhaul legislation from the 1990s, are a direct response to the more than 20% increase in packaging waste over the past decade. This surge is attributed to evolving consumption habits like online shopping and grab-and-go meals.

Packaging constitutes approximately 40% of plastic consumption in Europe. The new measures aim to reduce this waste by 5% by 2030 and 15% by 2040, compared to 2018 levels. These regulations will also introduce an EU-wide labeling system for waste sorting in 2028 to boost efficiency and establish mandatory deposit-return schemes for cans and plastic bottles by 2030.

PFAS chemicals, utilized for their grease- and water-repellent properties in food packaging such as takeaway containers and pizza boxes, pose significant health risks. They are hazardous, do not degrade naturally, and can contaminate environmental sources and food. Research has linked their accumulation in humans to various health problems, including different types of cancer, kidney disease, immune system dysfunction, and developmental issues in infants.

Further measures include ensuring packaging is economically viable to recycle, setting reuse targets, banning certain single-use packaging formats, and limiting the "empty space" within packages. The EU is also implementing stricter controls on waste exports, with a new law effective from May to ensure sustainable handling of exported plastic waste.