Assessment of pfas in commercial moulded fibre catering and takeaway packaging: environmental and food safety implications

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of over 5,000 chemicals with amphiphilic properties and environmental persistence, posing challenges to the food packaging industry, particularly in moulded fibre trays. These substances are used to impart water and grease resistance in moulded fibre products, commonly found in catering and takeaway packaging. However, the incorporation of PFAS into biobased materials contradicts the principles of the circular economy, which prioritise sustainability, biodegradability, and plastic waste reduction. As the demand for eco-friendly packaging grows, moulded fibre materials, whether virgin or derived from recycled feedstocks, have gained popularity for their sustainability potential. Despite these environmental benefits, the presence of PFAS raises concerns about food safety, particularly due to possible chemical migration during "wet-end" treatments in production. Certain PFAS, such as Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids (PFCAs) and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonic Acids (PFSAs), are hepatotoxic. The toxicity of PFOA led to its inclusion in the 2020 Stockholm Convention to limit its use. Longer-chain PFCAs/PFSAs, such as PFOA, are more toxic, prompting the increased use of shorter-chain compounds like PFBA. This study evaluates PFAS presence in ten commercially available paper-based catering and takeaway packaging products, including both 2D paper and 3D moulded fibre articles, derived from sugarcane and bamboo. Analytical methods, such as HPLC-MS/MS with Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM), were employed to identify target PFAS compounds belonging to five major chemical classes: PFCAs, PFSAs, Fluorotelomer Acids (FTAs), Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonamides (FOSAs), and Polyfluoroalkyl Phosphate Esters (PAPs). Samples were extracted with 95% ethanol at 60°C for 2 hours before HPLC-MS analysis. GC-MS/MS screening with dichloromethane/95% ethanol extraction solutions complemented the analysis. Metal analysis was also performed, after hot water extraction (EN647:1993). Optical microscopy provided insights on the structural characteristics of the moulded fibres. Preliminary results showed varying PFAS levels, with PFCAs and FTAs being most prevalent. Specific compounds such as PFBA and PFHxA were detected at higher concentrations, while lower levels of PFSAs (e.g., PFOS) were found. No FOSAs or PAPs were identified. These results underscore the potential for PFAS migration into food, therefore migration studies will be conducted.