Today's market shelves look far different than they did in the 1960s, back when food was mostly sold in metal cans and glass jars. Cellophane and waxed paper was the standard for snack foods, while plastics were just in their early phases. Today's food packaging relies far more on advanced plastics than ever, which solves a big logistics and sustainability problem related to reduced shipping weight and how much more product can be shipped with flexible packaging. Yet the PFAS issue was created in part by the increased role of plastics, and the industry is just now beginning to assess how to remove all traces of perfluoroalky, or at least keep track of where they come from. The goal is zero PFAS in the food, and it starts with the inner layer of container linings. Bags and coated containers are sometimes several layers of various materials that allow consumers to see the product, very important, while also preserving the food and being safe for consumption. Only recently were companies asked to investigate if their inner linings, by chance, happened to include any PFAS?
Most had no idea, and why should they? PFAS have been around for decades and no issue was made until now, in fact some industry standards have REQUIRED the inclusion of PFAS, the reason being that it does a good job on a molecular level. If only it weren't toxic and quite the opposite of biodegradable, meaning that it can't morph into a simpler compound through time and natural process. It's why Teflon is amazing, nothing will stick to it, so if you put those same chemicals in a heavy duty composter for a hundred years, it will still be PFAS.
Industries are gearing up to forge a new path, so this could be a good time for companies with nontoxic products to take the stage. There is a wide and growing range of chemical options that repel grease and otherwise fill the role, and a few manufacturers who have been around for quite a while.
One of these is Seydel Companies in Georgia, who has been a global pioneer in nontoxic process chemicals for textiles and paper, since the 1960s. For fiber-based food packaging, their solutions bring a high degree of confidence for companies seeking to promote their commitment to transparency and a path away from PFAS.
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