Friday, May 9, 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
Environmental Magazine
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Consumers unaware of dangers of PFAS in food packaging, finds research

March 12, 2024
in News
A A

A recent survey appears to find that the majority (80%) of consumers are not familiar with ‘forever chemicals’ and the term PFAS.

The survey was conducted by Sapio Research, on behalf of Celebration Packaging.

The ‘forever chemicals’ called PFAS (per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common applications, from fast food packaging and non-stick cookware to firefighting foams and stain repellant chemicals for clothing and carpets.

PFAS do not exist in nature and do not naturally degrade, which means they can end up contaminating groundwater for a very long time after their release into the environment.

Research is ongoing to assess the risk to humans from a build-up of PFAS in the human body. There are concerns that in very badly polluted areas a large amount of PFAS could accumulate in the blood and cause cancers and infertility*.

Concerns around PFAS have been in the public domain for quite some time. Denmark banned PFAS nearly two years ago and in the United States, 12 states have also announced bans. In addition, and following a six-month consultation period, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is developing a plan to reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer for people.

“Our survey has found that the vast majority of consumers (80%) are not familiar with forever chemicals and the term PFAS,” says Celebration Packaging Managing Director Nick Burton. “However, when informed about PFAS, some 96% of respondents stated that they were concerned about the potential dangers forever chemicals pose.

The importance of certifications
He said his own firm “has always invested in accreditations and certifications which we take very seriously”.

“We became aware of the PFAS issue some time ago and began to look for viable non-PFAS packaging in early 2022. Since then, we have been working hard to ensure that we can deliver PFA-free packaging solutions for the takeaway, delivery and QSR sectors – and we are delighted to confirm that all our white bagasse clamshells, dinnerware and chip trays are now TÜV home compostable and that they are certified PFAS-free.

“To ensure that the bagasse fibre clamshells, chip trays and dinnerware are free from these forever chemicals, we arranged for SGS, an internationally renowned testing, inspection and certification company, to test them. The SGS test report shows that no PFAS and similar chemicals such as PFCA’s / PFOS’s / PFOA’s / PFHxS’s were detected.

“Furthermore, the survey also found that 96% of consumers indicated that it was important that their packaging was certified PFA-free. As only 31% were not prepared to pay extra for such packaging, there is every reason for food service outlets to use certified packaging from reputable suppliers.”

“We believe these PFAS-free white bagasse products to be the best alternative to foodservice packaging made from expanded polystyrene,” said Burton. “They are the perfect replacement for expanded polystyrene plates, trays and clamshells now that the SUP (single-use plastic) legislation has come into effect.

“Bagasse is a great material because it is natural and renewable, using waste fibres from agriculture that would otherwise be discarded. The manufacture of bagasse fibre packaging also has a lower carbon footprint than its oil-based comparable products**, but to make bagasse water and grease resistant, PFAS were traditionally added. Our extensive 12 month in-market trials show that this is no longer necessary.”

“This new PFAS-free white bagasse fibre packaging looks exactly the same as the old range and can be used in a microwave to reheat food and we are sure that operators and consumers will now be delighted to know that it is PFAS-free.

“As publicity around the PFAS issue builds, so will concerns from consumers, so foodservice operators should check if the packaging they are using is PFAS-free.

“As a consultative business, we recommend that they talk to us if they have any concerns about the environmental impact of the packaging they use. We have been providing sustainable packaging solutions for many years and in the face of bans and taxes, we can help customers move away from single-use plastics and reduce their carbon footprint.”

*www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/health-effects/index.html
** Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment 11 (2020) 61-69

ShareTweetSharePinSendShare

Related Articles

News

Environmental health recruitment struggle to be addressed by cross-continent recognition

May 6, 2025
News

UK Digital Twin Centre aims to help decarbonise heavy industry

May 2, 2025
News

Government expected to mandate rooftop solar on new build homes

May 1, 2025
News

Grangemouth closure and Blair’s net zero intervention, must be wake up call for government warns Unite

April 30, 2025
News

Government attempts to reduce environmental protections in planning bill could breach international law, says KC

April 30, 2025
News

Spain blackout shows “island grids” more vulnerable, says analyst

April 28, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Submersible pumps underpin revamp at water reclamation facility

December 21, 2023

Nation’s First Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Could Come to Michigan in 2030

March 27, 2025

Don't miss it

Energy

Despite Federal Challenges, Two Leading Solar Advocates Are Continuing Their Forward Push

May 8, 2025
Air

Carbon registry partner selection prioritises rigour and transparency, says EfW operator

May 8, 2025
Activism

In Southern Arizona, Community Opposition to Mining Grows in Towns That Once Depended on the Industry

May 8, 2025
Energy

California Sues the Trump Administration for Violating the Constitution—Again

May 8, 2025
Water

New pilot study detects faecal pollution marker in UK rivers

May 8, 2025
Fossil Fuels

Trump Aims to Fast Track Alabama Coal Build-Out, Citing US Need. Nearly All the Coal Is Bound for Export

May 6, 2025
Environmental Magazine

Environmental Magazine, Latest News, Opinions, Analysis Environmental Magazine. Follow us for more news about Enviroment and climate change from all around the world.

Learn more

Sections

  • Activism
  • Air
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Fossil Fuels
  • News
  • Uncategorized
  • Water

Topics

Activism Air Climate Change Energy Fossil Fuels News Uncategorized Water

Recent News

Despite Federal Challenges, Two Leading Solar Advocates Are Continuing Their Forward Push

May 8, 2025

Carbon registry partner selection prioritises rigour and transparency, says EfW operator

May 8, 2025

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.