Read the full article (Toxic-Free Future)

“WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 100 environmental health-focused groups from across the country sent a letter urging Congress to ban PFAS in food packaging by passing the Keep Food Containers Safe From PFAS Act —which is currently included as a Senate amendment in FDA user fee legislation and under negotiation by the House and Senate. Addressed to Chair Patty Murray, Ranking Member Richard Burr, Chairman Pallone, and Ranking Member Rodgers, the letter was sent on June 29 by groups including Toxic-Free Future, Clean Cape Fear, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Consumer Reports, PfoaProject NY, Clean Water Action NJ, and Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, among others. The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act will ban the use of PFAS “forever chemicals” (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances) in food packaging.

The letter states: 

‘…Consumers should not have to worry that the food they are eating is wrapped in something that contains dangerous chemicals. We strongly urge you to maintain the Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act in the final version of the FDASLA bill.‘

‘Our lunch should never come with a side of ‘forever chemicals.’ We are glad to see bipartisan support in the HELP Committee for action to end the unnecessary use of this dangerous pollutant,’ said Liz Hitchcock, director of Toxic-Free Future’s federal policy program, Safer Chemicals Healthy Families. ‘The best way to stop PFAS from contaminating our bodies and our environment is to end its use in everyday products like food packaging. This common sense provision will take PFAS off the menu—we call on Committee leaders on both sides of Capitol Hill to include it in the final FDA package.’

‘Despite the well known dangers of PFAS, not enough is being done to reduce or eliminate its use,’ said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports. ‘It is time for Congress to take every measure it can to eliminate these chemicals in consumer products, and maintaining the bipartisan Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act in the final FDASLA bill would represent a significant step forward.’

The federal bill would protect more people and communities from toxic exposures to PFAS, which can cause damaging health impacts such as cancer and immune system harm. For more information, read the full letter including the list of signatures.” …