FDA Ignores 'Forever Chemicals' in Food

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently denied a legal petition that sought to establish limits for toxic PFAS, commonly known as 'forever chemicals,' within food products. This marks a significant setback for public health organizations advocating for reduced exposure to these harmful compounds. Despite scientific consensus, including findings by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that food constitutes the primary pathway for human PFAS exposure, the FDA has chosen not to set regulatory thresholds. Testing has revealed concerning levels of PFAS in various food items, with some single servings containing concentrations comparable to drinking multiple glasses of contaminated water.

Public health advocates expressed disappointment with the FDA's decision. A legal attorney stated that regulating PFAS in food is as critical as regulating it in water. The petition specifically called for the FDA to test for up to 30 PFAS compounds in produce, fish, eggs, milk, and bread. Following the FDA's inaction within the legally mandated timeframe, the petition was scaled back to request advisory thresholds for two prevalent and dangerous PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, in seafood and milk. Recent FDA testing indicated PFAS presence in 70% of seafood samples. The agency has stated its intention to establish 'action levels,' which are non-binding, rather than 'tolerance levels' that would legally restrict contaminated food sales.