Are PFAS-coated food wrappers at fast food restaurants safe?

What's actually in it

The wax paper wrapper around your burger, the cardboard box for your fries, and the paper bag holding your takeout order may all contain PFAS coatings applied to make them grease-resistant. This is separate from the nonstick pan issue; it's the paper packaging itself that's coated.

Hot, greasy food creates the ideal conditions for PFAS migration: heat and fat both accelerate chemical transfer from coating to food. A hot burger sitting in a PFAS-coated wrapper for 5 minutes transfers more PFAS than the same food briefly wrapped in uncoated paper.

What the research says

Testing by environmental health organizations found PFAS in fast food packaging from major chains across the US and Europe. A 2026 study on PFAS in drinking water confirmed the widespread nature of PFAS contamination from multiple product categories, including food contact materials.

Researchers have measured PFAS migration from food packaging into food under realistic conditions. Migration rates increase substantially with temperature, making hot food wrappers a meaningful dietary PFAS source for people who eat fast food regularly. Some chains have committed to phasing out PFAS packaging, but implementation is inconsistent.