Peter Tindale, European sales director at Selig Group, discusses the move away from packaging containing PFAS ‘forever’ chemicals, and what Scottish producers can do now to ensure they are prepared ahead of any potential bans in their use in food contact packaging
Why are forever chemicals facing the chop?
Due to their grease and water-resistant properties, PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are found in a myriad of applications, including food packaging. They only break down very slowly and are therefore accumulating in significant amounts in our environment and water supplies. At least two of the substances – PFOS and PFOA – have been linked to a wide range of health conditions.
According to a report by Scottish environmental charity Fidra: ‘Many PFAS are considered bioaccumulative, they concentrate up food chains and are not easily expelled from the human body. 99% of Americans have PFAS in their blood and numbers are now considered to be similar all over the world.’ It is no wonder therefore that their increased regulation and in some cases, banning, is on the rise across the globe.
The question isn’t ‘if’ but ‘when’ many PFAS will be limited or banned in food contact packaging in Scotland. So how can food and drink producers be prepared?
The challenge of PFAS transition
Many different forms of PFAS have been shown to migrate from packaging and food contact materials. Particular culprits for high levels of PFAS in the food supply chain can be found in the coatings used on paper and fibre-based food-contact materials.
As supermarkets begin to phase out PFAS from food-contact packaging, producers are having to work closely with their packaging suppliers to provide PFAS free material proof via total fluorine test results.
The presence of PFAS is tested in parts per million (ppm), which are units commonly used to indicate total fluorine content, and although the detection limit depends on the method and the mass of the sample, the result should be 10ppm or below. Ensuring complete PFAS absence can be challenging due to such factors as environmental contamination and supply chain complexities. To overcome, brands are using packaging material producers who can verify their PFAS NIA (Not Intentionally Added).
At Selig Group we are working with suppliers of our raw materials to ensure our products remain PFAS NIA for our customers. To make sure that a product is PFAS NIA requires careful collaboration with all materials providers. Although this can be a drawn out process, the end goal of reducing forever chemicals is one that is essential to achieve.
Change is coming, so are you ready to embrace it for a better future for us all?
