FDA declines to cap PFAS in foods, opting for non-binding action levels

The FDA rejected a petition by the Tucson Environmental Justice Task Force to set formal PFAS limits in food, instead proposing non-binding action levels and indicating it will pursue standards later. The group plans to sue, arguing that if PFAS are regulated in water they should be limited in food. Independent testing has found PFAS in seafood and milk, as well as in various foods and packaging, underscoring ongoing exposure concerns. PFAS are a broad class of persistent chemicals linked to cancer and other health issues, and critics say the FDA’s testing and regulatory approach remains insufficient to protect consumers.