Are PFAS in food plants a a source of daily PFAS?

What's actually in it

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that do not break down in the environment. They are increasingly found in our food supply because of how we grow crops. When farmers use biosolids (treated sewage sludge) as fertilizer, they are often spreading PFAS directly onto the fields where our food grows.

These chemicals don't just sit on the surface of the plants. They can be taken up by the roots and move into the edible parts of the plant. Once they are in the food, they end up on your plate. Beyond the soil, your food is also exposed to PFAS through consumer packaging, which can leach these chemicals directly into what you eat, according to a 2026 study in Chemosphere.

What the research says

Peer-reviewed research shows that the path from soil to your kitchen is active and concerning. A 2026 study in J Hazard Mater highlights how microplastics act as carriers, moving PFAS from agricultural soil into the food chain. This means the soil itself has become a reservoir for these chemicals.

The health risks are significant. A 2026 study in Lancet Oncol reports that the presence of PFAS in biosolids used in the US food supply could pose a real cancer risk. Because these chemicals accumulate in the body, even small amounts from daily food sources add to your total exposure. This is part of a larger problem where PFAS are found in everything from our water supply, as noted in a 2026 study in Environ Int, to the pet food in our homes, according to a 2026 study in Environ Pollut.