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You may have heard the term PFAS and wonder what it means or why it’s such a heavily debated topic – or maybe this is the first time you’ve ever come across it.
In a nutshell, PFAS refers to a group of chemicals whose properties make them useful for various products, including packaging for food and other items. However, there are concerns over their use due to the toxicity of some PFAS and their lack of biodegradability, which has earned them the nickname ‘forever chemicals’.
Thankfully, there are many alternatives offering the same beneficial features without these issues. This short guide introduces PFAS and explores the available replacement options for paper-based food packaging.
What are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that first appeared in the mid-20th century, revolutionising many industries thanks to their unique properties – PFASs are heat, water and oil resistant, which has seen them used for a broad range of commercial and industrial applications from non-stick kitchenware and water-repellent fabrics to fire extinguishers and fire-retardant furniture, as well as cosmetics and electronics. However, the downside of these materials is that they persist in the environment and pose potential health risks due to their ability to accumulate in living organisms and the toxicity of some of them.
Are PFAS used in food packaging?
PFAS compounds are often preferred for food packaging because of their ability to make materials resistant to grease and water and to prevent the food from sticking to the packaging. The grease-resistant properties of these substances mean that they’re mostly found in food service papers and paperboard packaging products, which are commonly used by takeaways for foods like burgers, sandwiches and French fries. Generally, greaseproof papers tend to fall into three main categories:
- PFAS-containing papers
- PFAS-free papers
- PFAS-containing – PFOA-free papers
A product labelled as ‘PFAS containing – PFOA free’ is made with PFAS but without perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which helps to minimise environmental and health risks from PFOA exposure. PFOA and the closely related perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two types of PFAS that are confirmed as toxic (research is ongoing as to the potential toxicity of other PFAS), which is why many national laws prohibit them and most manufacturers commit to avoiding their use.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives for food packaging?
There are a few PFAS-free packaging solutions available for food, including waxing or laminating the paper with polymer films like polyethylene, poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol), polylactic acid, polybutylene adipate terephthalate or polybutylene succinate, among others. Other options include coating the paper with materials like starch, plant protein and chitosan. All of these techniques offer advantages over PFAS – however, some of them aren’t biodegradable or recyclable, while those that are generally offer limited moisture resistance without further chemical modification. While there is no ideal solution out there just yet, research is ongoing to find one, and many of the existing alternatives already represent a big improvement on using packaging containing PFAS.
PFAS-free food packaging products from Kroonpak
The vast majority of Kroonpak’s food packaging products are PFAS free. Which specific packaging materials are best for a given product will usually depend on their usage requirements and the customer’s wishes. Where greaseproof options are required, we have sustainable alternatives available – our PFAS-free packaging paper is a safer, more environmentally friendly option for wrapping food products that require a grease and oil-resistant layer to prevent mess. It is ideal for a wide range of items, from bakery items like sandwiches and pastries to classic fast-food takeaway products such as burgers, fish and chips, fried chicken, onion rings, spring rolls, tacos, kebabs, mozzarella sticks, and pizza slices. It is also commonly used for sweets and confectioneries like cupcakes, biscuits, donuts, fritters, chocolates, and toffees, as well as other deli offerings like cooked meats and cheese slices.
The topic of PFAS has already been prevalent for quite a while, during which time we’ve developed a range of PFAS-free food packaging products including bags for fries in small, medium and large sizes, bags for fried chicken and nuggets, hamburger pockets and a variety of different sizes and styles of food wrapping papers.
Contact us!
Reach out to find the perfect PFAS-free solution for your products – we’re here to help! Our sales department is ready to assist you: Contact us today.
