The art of food packaging is not modern by any means. It can be traced back thousands of years, with the earliest materials being animal skins, nuts, and leaves. Over time, these packaging materials have evolved into today’s versions of paperboard, flexible plastic, and low-density polyethylene.
The question is, are they safe? We know that at least plastic is not. Studies have revealed that plastic packaging introduces harmful chemicals into the bodies which may affect hormonal balance and metabolism.
As many as 9,936 chemicals were found in plastic packages. Even if a food packaging company does not use plastic, there are other scares for customers. They have a pretty complex name – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.
These chemicals have wreaked havoc in our world, the food industry included. In this article, we will discuss why food packaging businesses must protect customers against PFAS and ways to do that.
PFAS Are Bad News for One and All
The chemical discovery of PFAS happened in the early 1930s itself. However, it was only in the 1950s that these chemicals were produced for commercial reasons. Having characteristics like water and oil resistance, they became a suitable choice for firefighting foam or Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant upholstery.
For decades, increased industrialization only led to a rise in PFAS production. One of the primary producers of these chemicals was the American multinational 3M. During this time, firefighters did not suspect that PFAS could threaten their lives.
Gradually, the truth came to light, and what a shock it was. It was found that these chemicals could cause deadly cancers of the testicles, kidneys, and the bladder. Since firefighters were directly exposed to PFAS, they were the most injured.
That’s how the AFFF lawsuit came into existence. After the first group filed their cases in 2017, even municipalities joined the litigation due to water contamination complaints. Though these have started being settled, personal injury cases are still pending.
According to TorHoerman Law, more than 9,800 lawsuits are still awaiting fair payouts. PFAS have now become an international concern and they will be banned by 2026. This means food packaging businesses need to step up their game and eliminate PFAS as far as possible.
What Can Food Packaging Businesses Do for Customer Safety?
To add more context to our discussion, it’s important to mention that PFAS are a group of over 12,000 chemicals synthesized using a carbon-fluorine bond. Of these, at least 61 chemicals were found in food packaging.
Recently, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has banned all grease-proofing agents like PFAS for food contact use. This means food packaging companies must look for concrete ways to protect their consumers against these chemicals.
Supplier Transparency and Evaluation
In some cases, food packaging manufacturers may team up with other vendors to procure different kinds of packaging materials. These include paperboard, polyvinyl films, foils, and more.
If you do the same, partner with those already committed to being PFAS-free. It means you may have to search around a bit since the change to non-toxic materials will be certain but gradual.
When you do find such vendors, ask them to disclose their production and processing methods. Full transparency will give you the assurance you need regarding customer safety.
Risk Assessment and Monitoring
Once the food packaging production process begins, it is important to not rush the process. In other words, companies should first analyze samples to test for any traces of PFAS.
Such quality control measures will ensure no potential exposure pathway remains open. Monitoring protocols are also needed to keep track of any PFAS residue in the resulting product.
Without risk assessment, there is a chance that stakeholder safety is compromised. Plus, this would harm the business’ market credibility and reputation.
Alternative Material Selection
Another proactive approach for food packaging companies to reduce PFAS exposure is to consider safer alternatives. Examples would include cardboard and glass.
Not only that but these should not be lined with a grease-proofing film since that will most likely contain PFAS. This may prove to be a costly move but the modern health and eco-conscious customer will be willing to pay the extra dollars.
Employee Awareness and Training
Food packaging companies need to recognize the fact that PFAS affect employee health before they touch the consumer. This is why staff members should be made aware of the health and environmental effects of these chemicals.
Moreover, proper training sessions should be conducted to educate employees on various topics. You can hold separate sessions for proper PFAS storage and handling, ways to reduce workplace exposure, and safe disposal of these chemicals.
Moreover, procedures are needed to report incidents related to PFAS. Workers are often the first link to better customer service. When they are on the same page, it becomes easier to maintain consistency across the supply chain.
In the final analysis, eco-friendly and customer-safe food packages are becoming a requirement. As we have just discussed, the issue goes deeper than just plastics. Even paperboard and aluminum foil can become dangerous when lined with PFAS.
