Food and Product PFAS Regulations

Because of the unique characteristics of PFAS it has become essential in a wide range of industries and products. Key applications include nonstick cookware, water-repellent textiles and outdoor gear, firefighting foams, and grease-resistant food packaging such as microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers. PFAS are also used in industrial processes, such as semiconductor manufacturing, and in medical products like surgical gowns and implantable devices. Additionally, they appear in cosmetics, dental floss, cleaning products, and automotive and aerospace components. Despite their utility, concerns over their persistence in the environment and potential health risks are driving efforts to find safer alternatives for many of these uses.

Apparel

Apparel: Starting January 1, 2025, New York and California implemented bans on clothing containing PFAS. Apparel companies are working to comply, though challenges remain with existing inventory. Just an example of the status of some clothing manufactures is listed.

Patagonia: Committed to phasing out PFAS from its apparel by 2025.
L.L. Bean: Declared newer products free of added PFAS.
Columbia Sportswear: Announced efforts to remove PFAS from their clothing lines.
Levi Strauss & Co.: Phased out PFAS from its supply chain.
Victoria’s Secret: Eliminated PFAS from their products.
VF Corporation: Owner of brands like The North Face, delayed its elimination of PFAS to March 2026.
Lululemon and Athleta: PFAS is still used in January of 2025 but are working on phasing out.

Cookware

Cookware: With lack of federal legislation many states have started to institute bans for PFAS in cookware. California's Assembly Bill 1200 prohibits the sale of cookware containing intentionally added PFAS. The law also mandates manufacturers to disclose the presence of certain chemicals on product labels. Colorado has expanded its PFAS restrictions to include cookware, aligning with its broader efforts to limit these substances in consumer products. Connecticut has enacted legislation banning PFAS in cookware, reflecting a growing trend among states to address the presence of these chemicals in kitchen products. Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed S 25, expanding the state's PFAS restrictions to include cookware, among other consumer products. Minnesota has enacted a ban on PFAS in cookware, set to take effect in 2025. This legislation also includes dental floss and menstrual products, marking a significant step in reducing PFAS exposure from everyday items. Some brands that use PTFE but not PFOA include:

T-fal (Tefal): Known for pioneering nonstick cookware, T-fal uses PTFE coatings in many of its products. While the company has marketed its products as PFOA-free, it's important to note that PFOA is just one type of PFAS.
Calphalon: Offers a range of nonstick cookware that also utilizes PTFE coatings. The brand also emphasizes that its products are PFOA-free, aligning with industry standards to eliminate this specific compound.
All-Clad: Provides nonstick cookware lines featuring PTFE coatings. The company ensures that its products are free from PFOA, adhering to regulatory guidelines.

Cosmetics and Cleaning Products

Cosmetics and Cleaning Products: States like California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, and Minnesota have passed laws to phase out PFAS in cosmetics and cleaning products, reflecting a broader trend toward eliminating these chemicals from personal care items.

Estée Lauder Companies: Brands under this umbrella, such as Estée Lauder, MAC, and Clinique, have committed to removing PFAS from their products.
H&M: This company banned PFAS in its branded cosmetics in 2018.

Because of limited transparency in ingredients, it is often harder to tell what cleaning products contain PFAS.

Stain-Resistant Sprays and Treatments:
Examples: Carpet and upholstery protectors like Scotchgard.

PFAS are used to create a barrier against stains and liquids.

Specialty Cleaning Products:
Industrial-strength degreasers or cleaners used in professional settings may contain PFAS for enhanced performance.
Wax or Polishing Products:
Floor waxes and polishes designed for high durability and water resistance may include PFAS.

Firefighting Foam

Firefighting Foam: PFAS in firefighting foams are a problem because they are highly persistent in the environment, contaminate soil and water, and are thought to pose significant health risks, including cancer and developmental issues, to humans and wildlife. While there is no comprehensive federal ban on PFAS-containing firefighting foams, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued guidance on transitioning to fluorine-free foams. Several U.S. states have enacted bans or restrictions on the use of PFSA containing firefighting foams. These measures primarily focus on Class B Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF), commonly used to extinguish flammable liquid fires.

California: Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of AFFF containing PFAS. The use of such foams for training purposes is also banned.
Colorado: Bans the use of PFAS-containing AFFF for training and testing purposes. Manufacturers are prohibited from selling or distributing these foams, with certain exceptions.
Connecticut: Restricts the use of firefighting foams with intentionally added PFAS for training or testing. Usage is limited to specific scenarios where no alternative exists.
Hawaii: Bans the discharge or use of Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS for training purposes. Also prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of such foams.
Illinois: Prohibits the use of PFAS-containing AFFF for training or testing. Starting January 1, 2025, bans the manufacture, sale, or distribution of these foams, with few exceptions.
Washington: Was the first state to ban the sale of firefighting foams containing PFAS.

Food - FDA Negotiated Voluntary Phase Out

Food: In February of 2024, the FDA negotiated a voluntary market phase out of PFAS grease-proofers applied to paper and paperboard food packaging (preemptive PFAS regulation). Beyond that the FDA has tested over 1,300 food samples with 97% found to be PFAS free. The current focus of the FDA is seafood which has been found to have 74% of samples to be contaminated with low levels of PFAS. In the absence of comprehensive federal regulations, several states have enacted their own laws to address PFAS in food packaging:

California: Banned the use of PFAS in paper-based food packaging.
New York: Implemented a similar ban on PFAS in food packaging.
Maryland and Minnesota: Both states have laws prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food packages containing intentionally added PFAS.
Other States: Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, and Washington have also enacted or proposed bans on PFAS in food packaging, with varying effective dates and specific provisions.