Study links PFAS chemicals to common food items

A recent study highlights the alarming presence of PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals', in everyday food items, raising health concerns.

Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.


In short:

  • PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are commonly found in various food packaging materials.
  • These chemicals are known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.
  • The study suggests a widespread contamination of the food supply, posing a risk to public health.

Key quote:

“We’re starting to see that even foods that are metabolically quite healthy can be contaminated with PFAS."

— Hailey Hampson, doctoral student at the University of Southern California

Why this matters:

The presence of PFAS in food items is a significant concern for public health, as these chemicals are linked to various health issues, including immune system suppression and increased cancer risk. Understanding and addressing this contamination is vital for ensuring safe food consumption.

Are you spreading PFAS on your morning toast?

About the author(s):

EHN Curators
EHN Curators
Articles curated and summarized by the Environmental Health News' curation team. Some AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight, fact checking and editing.

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