October 16, 2015
DENMARK - The Danish Ministry of Environment and Food has released a recommended limit on the use of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in paper and cardboard food packaging. The recommended limit is 0.35 micrograms of total organic fluorine per square decimeter cardboard or paper, which corresponds to 5 micrograms PFOA equivalents per kilogram of food.
Fluorinated compounds are a group of chemical substances with water and grease resistant properties. They are particularly used in grease-proof paper, parchment paper and fast food packaging, oil and water repellent.
The decision addresses concerns that these substances are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors, although there is only limited knowledge of their effects at the moment and only few of them have been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).