{"id":9015,"date":"2019-08-09T08:35:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T13:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/health\/?p=9015"},"modified":"2019-08-09T08:47:40","modified_gmt":"2019-08-09T13:47:40","slug":"chemours-suspend-fda-approved-pfas-food-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/health\/2019\/08\/09\/chemours-suspend-fda-approved-pfas-food-packaging\/","title":{"rendered":"Chemours asks FDA to suspend its approved uses of PFAS in food packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tom Neltner, J.D.<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0<\/em>Chemicals Policy Director<\/p>\n

Politico reported today<\/a> that Chemours notified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it had officially abandoned its three approved food packaging uses<\/a> of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and asked the agency to withdraw its Food Contact Substance Notifications (FCNs) for those uses. We do not know with certainty what prompted Chemours to abandon its PFAS products for food packaging or whether they were ever used in the United States. Based on past experience, we anticipate that FDA will grant the request.<\/p>\n

This action takes us one step closer to reducing people\u2019s exposure to these chemicals linked to an array of health risks posed by PFAS<\/a> at extremely low levels. Additionally, the action should serve as an incentive for other companies to do the same.<\/p>\n

Chemours also has FCNs for six PFAS uses in repeat-use food contact articles like gaskets and seals. The company apparently has not asked the agency to abandon these uses. We suspect that the PFAS-treated gaskets may still be in service even if it has stopped treating new gaskets with the chemicals.<\/p>\n

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In a blog<\/a> earlier this week, we made five recommendations to FDA as it undertakes a review of the 62 active PFAS FCNs<\/a>. Based on FDA\u2019s obligation to consider the cumulative effect of PFAS in the diet and the evidence of contamination of foods<\/a> \u2013 and humans \u2013 with the chemicals, our first recommendation is for the agency to begin the process of revoking its past approvals to reduce further exposure. To start this process, FDA must notify PFAS manufacturers that their FCNs are no longer effective and give the companies an opportunity to make their case that the substances are safe. If the agency is not convinced, it should move quickly to revoke its approval and, as required by its rules<\/a>, post a notice in the Federal Register. <\/em>If the agency is convinced a PFAS use is safe, it should provide the public with a detailed explanation of its reasoning.<\/p>\n

With Chemours abandonment of three PFAS uses, 59 active FCNs remain. The companies with active FCNs are:<\/p>\n