Three Food Packaging Chemicals Banned by US FDA

United States: Three perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were banned by the US Food and Drug Administration owing to their similarity in structure with other toxic compounds prohibited by the agency. The three PFCs banned by the FDA include some diethanolamine salts of mono- and bisphosphates, perfluoroalkyl substituted phosphate ester acids and pentanoic acid derivatives. These chemicals were majorly used to grease-proof food containers including microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes. However, with the implementation of this ban, these perfluoroalkyl ethyl containing substances would no longer be utilized in the paper packaging industry as oil and water repellents. These PFCs were not manufactured in the US instead imported from abroad. Since October 2014, numerous environmental groups in the country have been lobbying against the use of these food contact substances. Environmental Working Group (EWG), one of the many petitioners for the ban on these chemicals raised concerns linking the use of these PFCs to certain cancer and birth defects. 

TechSci Research depicts that US FDA would continue to maintain stringent guidelines for chemicals to be used in food packaging industry. Moreover, 100 other PFC substances prevalent in the country are expected to come under scrutiny by the agency.