What Foods Have the Most PFAS? Identifying Sources of 'Forever Chemicals'

Recent studies have identified a wide range of foods, from seafood to vegetables, as potential sources of PFAS exposure. Answering the question "What foods have the most PFAS?" is crucial for consumers looking to reduce their intake of these persistent "forever chemicals". PFAS can contaminate the food supply through various pathways, including environmental pollution and food packaging.

Quick Summary

Studies show that seafood, processed meats, and certain dairy and packaged goods often contain high levels of PFAS due to environmental contamination and food contact materials. Mitigation efforts can reduce exposure.

Key Points

• High-Risk Foods: Seafood, particularly shellfish and fish from contaminated waters, and processed meats are often the highest in PFAS due to bioaccumulation and processing.

• Packaging Contamination: Grease-resistant food packaging, including microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers, is a major source of PFAS migrating directly into food.

• Environmental Pathways: Food contamination occurs through polluted soil and water used for growing crops and raising livestock, as PFAS are very persistent in the environment.

• Cookware Concerns: Damaged or scratched non-stick cookware treated with PFAS can leach chemicals into food, especially when heated.

• Mitigation Strategies: You can reduce your exposure by choosing fresh, unpackaged foods, using alternative cookware, filtering your water, and avoiding high-risk processed and packaged items.

• Vulnerable Populations: Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable due to higher food and water intake relative to body weight, and fetal exposure is possible.

Understanding the Origins of PFAS in Our Food

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ($PFAS$) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used since the 1950s in various industrial and consumer products due to their resistance to heat, oil, and water. They are dubbed "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly, if at all, leading to their persistence in the environment and accumulation in living organisms. The contamination of our food supply is a significant route of human exposure, happening through several primary pathways.

Environmental Contamination: PFAS from manufacturing sites, landfills, and firefighting foams can pollute soil and water. Crops grown in contaminated soil or irrigated with contaminated water can absorb these chemicals into their edible parts. Similarly, livestock drinking contaminated water or consuming feed grown on polluted land can accumulate PFAS in their meat, milk, and eggs. Aquatic life, especially fish and shellfish, can absorb PFAS from the lakes, rivers, and oceans they inhabit.

Food Packaging and Processing: One of the most direct pathways is the migration of PFAS from food contact materials into food. For years, PFAS were used in grease-resistant paper, microwave popcorn bags, and takeout containers to prevent leaks. While the FDA has taken steps to phase these out in the U.S., contamination can still occur from older products, global supply chains, and processing equipment lined with PFAS. The risk of migration increases with heat and in contact with fatty or acidic foods.

Foods with Elevated PFAS Levels

Scientific research and testing from regulatory bodies like the FDA have identified several food categories as having higher risks of PFAS contamination. These include:

• Seafood: Fish and shellfish are frequently cited as a major dietary source of PFAS. Filter feeders like clams and oysters can bioaccumulate contaminants from water. Locally caught freshwater fish often have particularly high levels due to concentrated pollutants in lakes and rivers. Studies have found elevated PFAS levels in saltwater fish, shrimp, and lobster, especially near urban and military areas.
• Processed Meats: Hot dogs, sausages, bacon, and deli meats can have higher PFAS levels due to multiple entry points during processing and packaging. The packaging itself can be a significant source of migration, especially for greasy items. Pork products, in general, are noted to have higher PFAS concentrations compared to other meats.
• Dairy and Eggs: PFAS can accumulate in animals, including dairy cows and chickens, leading to detectable levels in milk, butter, and eggs. Studies have linked higher egg consumption to increased PFAS concentrations in the bloodstream.
• Grease-Resistant Packaged Foods: This category is a well-known source of direct migration. Microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, and certain types of bakery and takeout containers have been historically treated with PFAS. Heating foods in these packages drastically increases the transfer of chemicals.
• Certain Produce: Leafy greens like kale and spinach can absorb PFAS from contaminated soil and water. While generally considered healthy, produce grown near contaminated sites can pose a risk. Washing produce can help reduce surface contamination but does not eliminate chemicals absorbed by the plant.
• Edible Oils: Canola, soybean, and rapeseed oils have been found to contain PFAS, which can be absorbed during crop growth or introduced during the complex refining and packaging processes.

A Comparison of Dietary PFAS Contamination

Food Category	Primary Contamination Route	Relative PFAS Risk Level	Explanation
Seafood	Bioaccumulation from water	High	Filter feeders (clams, oysters) and fish from polluted waters concentrate PFAS in their tissues.
Processed Meats	Packaging and animal feed	High	Packaging coatings and contamination in animal feed are major factors for items like hot dogs and deli meats.
Fast Food/Takeout	Grease-resistant packaging	High	Wrappers and containers for greasy or hot foods cause rapid migration of PFAS.
Microwave Popcorn	Grease-resistant bag	High	The high heat of microwaving forces chemical migration from the treated bags.
Eggs	Contaminated animal feed/water	Moderate to High	Chickens accumulate PFAS from their environment, which is then transferred to their eggs.
Dairy Products	Contaminated animal feed/water	Moderate	PFAS can accumulate in milk and butter from cows exposed to contaminated sources.
Leafy Greens	Absorption from soil/water	Moderate	Plants can absorb PFAS from the soil or irrigation water where they are grown.
Bottled Beverages	Packaging and water source	Moderate	PFAS can leach from plastic bottles and caps or originate from contaminated source water.
Fresh Produce (General)	Soil and water uptake	Low to Moderate	Risk depends heavily on where and how the produce was grown.

How to Reduce Your Dietary PFAS Exposure

While completely avoiding PFAS is nearly impossible, several strategies can help minimize your intake from food sources:

• Choose Fresh and Unpackaged Foods: Opt for whole foods with minimal packaging whenever possible. Shop at local farmers' markets or grow your own vegetables to reduce contact with treated packaging.
• Avoid Grease-Resistant Packaging: Steer clear of takeout containers, fast-food wrappers, and microwave popcorn bags. Transfer hot foods from their packaging to a safe container immediately.
• Use PFAS-Free Cookware: Replace old, chipped non-stick pans with alternatives like stainless steel, cast iron, glass, or ceramic. Heat can increase the migration of chemicals from damaged non-stick surfaces.
• Filter Your Water: Use a certified water filter to reduce PFAS levels in your drinking and cooking water. Boiling contaminated water does not remove PFAS and may concentrate it.
• Reduce Consumption of High-Risk Foods: Moderate your intake of seafood, especially from known contaminated areas, and minimize processed meat and packaged goods.
• Wash Produce Thoroughly: While it won't remove absorbed chemicals, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables can help remove surface contaminants.

Conclusion

PFAS are widespread contaminants in the modern food supply chain, with seafood, processed meats, and certain packaged goods posing some of the highest risks due to bioaccumulation and chemical migration from packaging. Consumers can significantly lower their exposure by making informed choices, such as prioritizing fresh, unprocessed foods, using PFAS-free cookware, filtering their water, and being mindful of food packaging. Given the difficulty of fully eliminating exposure, ongoing awareness and efforts to reduce intake are key to mitigating health risks associated with these persistent chemicals. For additional guidance, the FDA provides resources on testing and dietary exposure: Testing Food for PFAS and Assessing Dietary Exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is seafood often cited as a high-risk food for PFAS?

Seafood, especially fish and shellfish, often has high PFAS levels because these chemicals accumulate in the aquatic environment. Filter-feeding shellfish and fish can bioaccumulate significant amounts of PFAS from polluted rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Do organic foods contain PFAS?

Yes, organic foods can still be contaminated with PFAS. Since these chemicals are widespread environmental pollutants, they can be found in soil, water, and air used to grow organic produce. A study found PFAS in both conventional and organic kale, for instance.

How can I avoid PFAS from fast-food packaging?

To minimize exposure from fast-food packaging, avoid eating directly from wrappers or containers, especially with hot or greasy foods. Bring your own glass or stainless steel container for takeout, and request that your order be prepared without PFAS-treated materials where possible.

What cookware is safest to use to avoid PFAS?

For safety, consider replacing old or damaged non-stick cookware with alternatives like cast iron, stainless steel, glass, or ceramic pots and pans. Using these materials and avoiding high-temperature cooking with non-stick pans can help prevent chemical migration.

Can washing fruits and vegetables remove PFAS?

While washing produce is good practice for removing surface contaminants, it will not remove PFAS that have been absorbed by the plant from the soil or water. The risk of contamination from produce depends largely on the environmental conditions where it was grown.

Is bottled water a safe alternative to tap water regarding PFAS?

Not always. Some bottled water brands have been found to contain detectable levels of PFAS, and packaging can also be a source. For assurance, it is best to use a water filter certified to remove PFAS on your tap water.

Why are processed and packaged foods more likely to contain PFAS?

Processed and packaged foods have more opportunities for PFAS exposure. This includes migration from grease-proof coatings in packaging, contamination during manufacturing from equipment, and the sourcing of ingredients from contaminated areas.

Are there efforts to regulate PFAS in food and packaging?

Yes, regulatory bodies like the FDA and legislative bodies in various states are taking action. The FDA has announced a phase-out of certain PFAS used as grease-proofing agents in U.S. food packaging, and states have passed laws to ban PFAS in food packaging and cookware.