EU Tightens Rules on 'Forever Chemicals' in Food Packaging

Courthouse News Service (08/12/26)

New European Union (EU) restrictions on the toxic substances known as "forever chemicals" in food packaging went into effect last week in addition to broader rules aimed at reducing packaging waste in the 27-country bloc. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (or PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that take an extremely long time to break down. They have been facing rising restrictions around the globe because of their adverse health effects. The EU is pushing hard to decrease packaging waste, which has skyrocketed alongside an increase in online shopping and "on-the-go consumption" in the bloc. Under the new rules, which are set to take effect in several stages, the EU requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030. Additionally, there are targets to reduce packaging waste in the bloc by 5 percent by decade's end and 15 percent by 2040 versus 2018 levels.

Read more on Courthouse News Service.