FDA Determines Authorization for 35 Food Contact Notifications Related to PFAS are No Longer Effective

By: FDA

Jan 3, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that 35 food contact notifications (FCNs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are no longer effective. These FCNs previously authorized PFAS-based grease-proofing coatings for paper and paperboard packaging to prevent oil and water leakage. The FDA determined these uses have been abandoned because manufacturers and suppliers have ceased production or supply of the substances. The phase-out of PFAS in grease-proofing agents began voluntarily in July 2020, with the FDA confirming in February 2024 that such substances are no longer sold for food contact use in the U.S..

As of January 6, 2025, these FCNs are officially deemed ineffective, but the FDA has established a compliance date of June 30, 2025, allowing manufacturers time to exhaust existing stocks of affected packaging. To ensure ongoing compliance, the FDA has developed a screening method to detect PFAS-based grease-proofing agents in paper and paperboard packaging. This method will help the agency monitor the market and enforce regulations as part of its broader effort to address PFAS in food-related applications, which has been ongoing since the early 2000s.

For more information, see the original article.