EFSA proposes to review the tolerable intakes of two PFAS in food

EFSA has proposed to revise the tolerable intakes of two chemical contaminants to which humans are exposed through the food chain as a result of environmental pollution.

The first scientific opinion concerns the main PFAS, known as erfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), two man-made chemicals, which have been used widely in industrial and consumer applications since the mid-20th century. They persist in the environment because they degrade slowly. They also accumulate in the human body.

The European Commission asked EFSA to reassess the risks PFAS pose to human health using data that has become available since its original assessment in 2008.

The CONTAM Panel’s work on its second assessment of the remaining PFAS is ongoing. It will focus on possible risks to human health from PFASs other than PFOs and PFOA and EFSA will publicly consult on the draft opinion.

The production, placing on the market and use of PFOS is regulated by EU laws on persistent organic pollutants (Regulation EC 850/2004). Restrictions related to PFOA manufacture and placement on the market will come into effect on 4 July 2020, following scientific evaluations by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).