Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, form a broad family of synthetic compounds used in industrial applications and consumer products. Their persistence and dispersion in the environment have made their presence in water and food a relevant issue for authorities and companies in the food chain.
What are PFAS and why are they a concern
PFAS contain highly stable bonds between carbon and fluorine. This characteristic gives them resistance to water, fats, heat and certain chemical agents, which is why they are used in non-stick coatings, textiles, firefighting foams and some packaging materials.
That same stability makes them difficult to degrade. Some PFAS can remain for long periods in water, soil and organisms, move through the environment and accumulate over time. Not all of them have the same behaviour or toxicological profile, but their persistence justifies strengthened monitoring.
How PFAS enter the food chain
PFAS can be released during their manufacture and use through industrial emissions, wastewater, firefighting foams or waste management. Once in the environment, they can reach surface water and groundwater, soils and ecosystems.
From these sources, PFAS can enter the food chain through water used in production, contamination of crops and raw materials, or the food and water consumed by animals. They can also accumulate in aquatic and terrestrial organisms and be transferred to food.
Production processes and the materials used to protect and market products must also form part of the assessment. In some cases, coatings, treatments or components may be a source of PFAS in packaging and food contact materials. Identifying the source requires consideration of the environment, raw materials, water, processes and packaging.
Exposure and risks associated with PFAS
Food and drinking water are relevant routes of exposure to PFAS. Due to their persistence, some of these compounds can remain in the body for long periods, which is why concern is focused particularly on continued exposure.
The detection of PFAS in a food does not in itself imply an immediate risk. The risk depends on the type of PFAS, the concentration present, the frequency of consumption and cumulative exposure.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considers that certain PFAS can reduce the antibody response following vaccination, an effect it used as a reference to establish their tolerable weekly intake. These issues will be explored when addressing limits, exposure and the analytical control of PFAS in food.
What European regulations establish regarding PFAS
European regulations do not establish a single criterion for all PFAS, but rather different requirements depending on the substance, product and matrix. In food, they set maximum levels for certain PFAS in some categories of animal origin; in drinking water, they establish values for the sum and total of these substances; and the PPWR introduces specific limits for food packaging from 12 August 2026.
In addition, the assessment of a broad restriction proposal under the REACH Regulation is continuing, which could affect new uses, materials and supply chains. Companies must therefore monitor the development of European restrictions on PFAS and adapt their controls to the products and activities affected.
What companies should do to control their presence
Control should begin with the identification of products, raw materials, water, processes or materials that may present a higher risk. Based on this assessment, each company should define which substances to analyse, in which matrices and how frequently.
It is also necessary to review supplier information, maintain traceability and adapt controls when formulations, raw materials, destination markets or applicable regulations change.
How AINIA can help
At AINIA, we help companies identify the risks associated with PFAS and establish controls tailored to their products, processes and markets.
Our analytical control plan design and implementation service makes it possible to select the relevant matrices and parameters, define the sampling strategy, interpret the results and assess compliance with legal requirements.
