PFAS Analysis in Food: Expansion of Validated Food Matrices
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are highly fluorinated compounds with hydrophobic and lipophobic properties. They are widely used in industrial and consumer products and have become a major focus due to their persistence, toxicity, and ubiquity in the environment. PFAS do not degrade naturally and can contaminate air, water, soil, and food. They accumulate in living organisms and along the food chain, raising human health and environmental concerns.
Food is one of the main exposure pathways, particularly through:
- Fish and seafood
- Meat and meat products
- Eggs and egg products
- Milk and dairy products
- Certain fruits and fruit products
Additionally, PFAS can migrate from food packaging and cookware into food.
Uses of PFAS
PFAS are used in a wide range of products, including:
- Stain and water-resistant coatings for fabrics and carpets.
- Oil-resistant coatings for food contact paper products (e.g., baking paper, pizza boxes, fast-food packaging, popcorn bags)
- Firefighting foams
- Non-stick coatings for cooking utensils
- Floor polishes
- Pesticides
- Cleaning agents
- Cosmetics
- Medical devices
Key PFAS Compounds
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the most well-known PFAS compounds. Growing evidence underscores the severity of their potential health impacts, which has led to stringent regulatory classification:
- PFOA: classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (Carcinogenic to Humans) by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- PFOS: classified as Group 2B carcinogen (Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans) by the IARC.
Both PFOA and PFOS have been added to the global list of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) due to their longevity, and several other PFAS compounds are categorized as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs).
The EFSA strongly recommends analysis of PFAS in monitoring programs.
Our Method and Expertise in PFAS Analysis
We have developed a reliable and highly sensitive method for PFAS analysis. With state-of-the-art instrumentation and experts, we can detect and quantify PFAS in a wide range of validated and accredited food matrices. In case of urgent matters, we offer rush services to ensure that your products meet safety and quality standards as well as regulatory requirements.
Our PFAS Analysis Service:
Our Validated Food Matrices for PFAS Analysis
We have expanded our matrices for PFAS in food:
Our PFAS Analyte Spectrum and Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
| 34 Analyte | Acronym | LOQ (ng/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Perfluorobutanoic acid | PFBA | 5 |
| Perfluorpentanoic acid | PFPeA | 5 |
| Perfluorbutanesulfonic acid | PFBS | 1 |
| Perfluorohexanoic acid | PFHxA | 5 |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid | HFPO-DA (GenX) | 1 |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid | PFPeS | 1 |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid | PFHpA | 5 |
| Sodium salt of 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanesulfonic acid | NaDONA (ADONA) | 1 |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid | PFHxS | 1 |
| 6:2-Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 6:2-FTS | 5 |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid | PFOA | 1 |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid | PFHpS | 1 |
| Chloroperfluorooctanesulfonic acid | CDPOS (Capstone B) | 50 |
| Perfluorononanoic acid | PFNA | 1 |
| Dichloroperfluorooctanesulfonic acid (Capstone A) | DPOSA (Capstone A) | 50 |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid | PFOS | 1 |
| 8:2-Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 8:2-FTS | 5 |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid | PFDA | 5 |
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonanesulfonic acid | 9Cl-PF3ONS | 5 |
| Perfluorononanesulfonic acid | PFNS | 1 |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid | PFUnDA | 5 |
| Perfluorodecansulfonic acid | PFDS | 1 |
| 10:2-Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 10:2-FTS | 5 |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonamide | FOSA | 1 |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid | PFDoDA | 1 |
| 11-Chloro-eicosafluoro-3-oxaundecanesulfonic acid | 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 5 |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid | PFUnDS | 5 |
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid | PFTrDA | 5 |
| Perfluorododecansulfonic acid | PFDoDS | 5 |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid | PFTeDA | 5 |
| Perfluorotridecansulfonic acid | PFTrDS | 5 |
| 4:2-Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid | 4:2-FTS | 5 |
| N-Methylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid | N-MeFOSAA | 1 |
| N-Ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid | N-EtFOSAA | 1 |
Strict Contamination Control in PFAS Analysis
Since PFAS are ubiquitous, there are high risks of contamination during analysis. Due to the high detection sensitivity required, numerous precautions must be taken during sampling, packaging, transport, storage, and in the laboratory to prevent PFAS contamination during processing which would lead to false results. We provide food manufacturers with guidelines for sampling, the type of packaging to be used for sampling, and the transport of samples, based on the recommendations set out in DG-SANTE/11354/2021 and by the EURL POPs.
Important Upcoming PFAS Regulations for Packaging
PFAS in food contact materials will be subject to stricter regulation in the future. In addition to the reference to Art. 3 of Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, which ensures that migrating substances must not endanger human health, Limit Values for PFAS in Food Contact Materials will enter into force starting August 2026 under Regulation (EU) 2025/40.
Manufacturers are therefore advised to monitor PFAS not only in their food products but also in the associated packaging materials to ensure future compliance and consumer safety.
