NGO Green Home has participated in an extensive research study on the presence of PFAS compounds in food packaging. This research was conducted in collaboration with the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) across 17 countries, with a total of 119 samples analyzed.
As part of the study, five packaging samples from Montenegro were analyzed, including wrappers for fast food, microwave popcorn packaging, and recycled paper packaging for non-greasy food.
The results of the analysis of the samples from Montenegro showed that two samples tested positive for the presence of total PFAS compounds.
Overall, the test results showed that out of 119 samples analyzed, as many as 64 samples (approximately 54% of the analyzed samples) contained PFAS, including fast food packaging from major fast-food chains. Out of the total of 58 targeted PFAS compounds, this method detected 21 compounds.
This points to the need for additional research in the field of packaging safety for human health, for more effective implementation of regulations related to chemical control in packaging, and for greater awareness among people when it comes to choosing products for consumption.
The method used to determine the total amount of extractable PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from samples is the Extraction of Organic Fluorine (EOF).
Certain PFAS chemicals are within the prohibited toxic substances of the Stockholm Convention, of which Montenegro has been a signatory since March 2011. There are defined thresholds for several small groups of PFAS compounds; however, this is not sufficient to achieve control over these compounds in single-use food packaging. A universal ban on polymeric PFAS compounds is necessary to halt human exposure to these toxins and their migration into environmental segments.
PFAS are a large group of toxic chemical compounds widely present in the production of various types of products. PFAS compounds have a range of negative impacts on human health and the environment, such as effects on fertility, fetal development, and thyroid gland functions. These substances are commonly used in the paper, cellulose, and shaped fiber industries to produce packaging for food and disposable, fat- and water-resistant tableware. Due to their properties, such as grease resistance, PFAS is widely used in the production of baking paper, cake liners, bakery bags, fast food and takeaway boxes, microwave popcorn bags, and compostable tableware.
It is known in science that PFAS compounds can migrate from packaging to food, given their direct contact. Research has confirmed a connection between consuming food packaged with PFAS-containing chemicals and the concentration of PFAS chemicals in human blood. This raises concerns among people about the consumption of food packaged in disposable containers.
The study on Persistent Chemicals in Single-Use Packaging and Tableware is available here.
