- PFAS, which is a catch-all term for a family of human-made substances known for their grease, water, and oil-resistant properties, are widely used in a variety of everyday products such as fabrics, cleaning products, and paints. They are also authorized for a limited number of uses in cookware and certain food packaging applications.
- FDA has been engaged in working to develop new methods to quantify PFAS in foods and has conducted test samples of foods Americans typically consume for certain types of PFAS. In June, FDA released a statement highlighting the Agency’s efforts and outlining some of the initial results of the testing. At that time, FDA reported that 14 of the 91 samples evaluated contained PFAS.
- In its October 31 statement, FDA made available a scientifically validated method for testing for 16 types of PFAS in a variety of food. After applying the validated method to the initial results, FDA said that detectable levels of certain PFAS chemicals were found in only two of 91 samples, ground turkey and tilapia. The agency will continue to analyze additional samples and make those results available this year.