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Poly- and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Food Packaging Materials

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Food Packaging Materials

Part of the book series: Methods and Protocols in Food Science ((MPFS))

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Abstract

Poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are commonly used additives in food packaging materials that impart water and grease resistance. However, this class of compounds is coming under increased scrutiny due to human health and environmental concerns. As a result, regulatory agencies are developing limits on PFAS in food packaging. The development and enforcement of such limits highlights the need for robust PFAS detection methods. Unfortunately, targeted methods that detect specific PFAS compounds can measure only a small subset of PFAS. Thus, total fluorine methods are preferred for food packaging applications. Commercially available total fluorine methods include combustion followed by ion chromatography or fluoride ion-selective electrodes. Surface measurement techniques are also under development, which may be particularly useful for nondestructive, rapid screening of food packaging materials. This chapter provides a discussion of the various methods available, and under development, for quantifying PFAS in food packaging materials. Alternative strategies to impart water and grease resistance to food packaging are also discussed.

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  1. Rachel C. Scholes

    Present address: Department of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Regional Research Center, Agriculture Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Albany, CA, USA

    Rachel C. Scholes, William Hart-Cooper, Gregory M. Glenn & William J. Orts

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  2. William Hart-Cooper
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Correspondence to William J. Orts .

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  1. Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil

    Caio Otoni

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Scholes, R.C., Hart-Cooper, W., Glenn, G.M., Orts, W.J. (2024). Poly- and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Food Packaging Materials. In: Otoni, C. (eds) Food Packaging Materials. Methods and Protocols in Food Science . Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3613-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3613-8_5

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