Can grease-proof paper food packaging contain PFAS?
Yes. A 2026 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study validated a fast method to identify PFAS grease-proofers containing 6:2 FTOH in fiber-based food packaging.
What's actually in it
PFAS grease-proofers have been used on fiber-based food packaging to keep oil from soaking through paper. One marker is 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol, also called 6:2 FTOH.
The source paper says polymeric PFAS grease-proofers were recently removed from the U.S. food-contact market. The problem is monitoring. Regulators still need fast, reliable ways to check packaging.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry validated a DART-MS screening method for fiber-based food packaging. The method identified hydrolyzable 6:2 FTOH from PFAS grease-proofers across packaging types.
The method had less than 5% false positive or false negative rates at 95% confidence. It also worked quickly, with about 14 minutes per sample.
This study does not prove every wrapper transfers PFAS into food. It shows that PFAS grease-proofers can be identified in packaging and that monitoring their removal matters.
What to do at home
Do not microwave food in paper wrappers or takeout packaging. Move leftovers into glass storage jars or glass containers when you get home.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Validating Direct Mass Spectrometry Screening for Grease-Proofers Containing 6:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol in Fiber-Based Food Packaging. | J Agric Food Chem | 2026 |