California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta has reminded food packaging and paper straw manufacturers in the US of their upcoming responsibility to accurately disclose per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) content in their products.

In an enforcement advisory letter, the AG called on manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of food packaging and cookware to prepare for the statewide law on disclosing the PFAS content within their products.

PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are a large group of synthetic substances commonly used in products such as food wrappers.

Exposure to these chemicals is linked to health complications such as liver damage, obesity, fertility issues, and cancer.

In 2021, the governor of California signed legislation that banned PFAS from paper, paperboard, or plant-based food packaging, as well as from utensils and straws.

The law also bans the use of PFAS on any material that comes into direct contact with food.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

This law requires companies to clearly disclose online the chemicals, including PFAS, used on their cookware and bakeware handles and coatings from January next year.

It prohibits these businesses from wrongly claiming their products are PFAS-free.

Bonta said: “Like so many Californians, I am greatly concerned about PFAS exposure. These chemicals are toxic and are all around us.

“As the people’s attorney, I’ve been turning that concern into concrete action by holding big PFAS manufacturers like 3M and DuPont accountable and supporting federal efforts to better protect Americans’ drinking water supply from PFAS.

“The PFAS enforcement advisory letter and the consumer alert that we are issuing today continue these important efforts to protect Californians from harm.”

In January this year, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation banned the use of PFAS in food packaging materials.