Can PFAS from food-contact paper wrap and boxes get into your food?

What's actually in it

Food-contact paper products include burger wrappers, bakery bags, sandwich wraps, microwave popcorn bags, and takeout containers. Many of these are treated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to make them grease-resistant. Without PFAS, the grease from a burger or pastry would soak right through the paper.

PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment or in your body. When greasy, hot, or acidic food sits on PFAS-treated paper, the chemicals transfer into what you eat.

What the research says

A 2025 study in Sci Total Environ tested commercially available food-contact paper products for PFAS contamination. The researchers screened a range of products you'd find at grocery stores and fast-food restaurants.

They detected PFAS in multiple food-contact paper products. The types and concentrations varied by product, but the presence was widespread. Some products that didn't claim any grease-resistant treatment still contained measurable PFAS levels.

The study found both legacy PFAS (like PFOA and PFOS, which many manufacturers claim to have phased out) and newer replacement PFAS that are less studied but may carry similar health risks. The replacements were actually more common than the legacy chemicals.

Avoid wrapped food sitting in paper packaging for long periods. Choose restaurants and brands that commit to PFAS-free packaging. At home, wrap sandwiches in unbleached parchment paper or beeswax wraps instead of coated paper products.