The persistence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) promotes their dispersion in the environment and their entry into the food chain. For companies, the challenge is to identify affected foods, interpret the results and establish controls proportionate to the risk.
In which foods can PFAS be present
PFAS can reach food through contaminated water and soils, crops and animal feed. They can also accumulate in fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other organisms, so their concentration varies depending on the environment and the species.
Recommendation (EU) 2026/1307 provides for the monitoring of PFAS in animal feed during 2026, 2027 and 2028 and, in the event of high concentrations, provides for investigating their origin through analysis of the soil and water consumed by animals.
European regulations pay particular attention to meat, offal, fish, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs and eggs. The origin of raw materials, the water used and supplier information are relevant factors for assessing their presence in the food chain.
PFAS limits applicable to food
Within the framework of European PFAS regulations, Regulation (EU) 2023/915 establishes maximum levels for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS, both individually and for the sum of the four. The values are expressed on a fresh-weight basis and vary depending on the food.
| Food category | Maximum limit for the sum of the four PFAS |
| Beef, pork and poultry meat | 1.3 µg/kg |
| Sheep meat | 1.6 µg/kg |
| Offal from cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry | 8.0 µg/kg |
| Game meat, except bear | 9.0 µg/kg |
| Game offal, except bear | 50 µg/kg |
| Fish | 2.0, 8.0 or 45 µg/kg, depending on the species and its use |
| Crustaceans and bivalve molluscs | 5.0 µg/kg |
| Eggs | 1.7 µg/kg |
These values do not replace the individual limits. To calculate the sum, the lower-bound concentration approach is applied, with results below the limit of quantification considered as zero. If a food exceeds a maximum level, it cannot be marketed or used as an ingredient.
Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 promoted the monitoring of PFAS in a wide variety of foods between 2022 and 2025 and established indicative levels for fruit, vegetables, starchy roots and tubers, wild mushrooms, milk and infant foods. Exceeding these levels does not automatically constitute non-compliance, but the causes of the contamination should be investigated.
Exposure to PFAS through food
Exposure depends on the concentration present, the amount ingested and the frequency of consumption. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) identifies fish and eggs among the foods that contribute most to exposure to the four PFAS assessed, although their contribution varies depending on the compound and dietary habits.
EFSA established a combined tolerable weekly intake of 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS, taking the reduction in antibody response following vaccination as the critical effect.
The maximum level determines whether a regulated food complies with the requirements for marketing, while the tolerable intake makes it possible to assess cumulative exposure through the diet. Therefore, detecting PFAS is not sufficient to determine the risk: the result must be interpreted according to the compound, concentration and consumption pattern.
How to carry out analytical control of PFAS in food
Control should begin with a risk assessment to prioritise products, raw materials, origins and suppliers. Based on this assessment, it is determined which PFAS to analyse, in which matrices and how frequently, taking into account legal limits and the available background information.
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1428 requires representative samples and PFAS-free sampling, storage and transport materials. Contact with PTFE, PVDF and other fluoropolymers that could contaminate the sample must be avoided. Analytical methods must have limits of quantification equal to or lower than the the applicable individual maximum levels.
The results must be interpreted together with traceability and supplier information. In the event of an exceedance, it will be necessary to identify the affected batches, investigate the source and review prevention and control measures.
How AINIA can help
At AINIA, we help companies define PFAS controls tailored to their foods, raw materials, suppliers and markets. Our analytical control plan design and implementation service makes it possible to select the relevant matrices and parameters, establish sampling, interpret the results and assess regulatory compliance.
