***UPDATE: As of January 2021 this campaign is no longer live. We hope to hear news from Fidra soon about the successes of the campaign***

Last week Scottish NGO Fidra launched a campaign asking the UK government to take immediate action to ban ‘Forever Chemicals’ PFAS (per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances) in food packaging.

PFAS are known as the ‘forever chemicals’ as they do not break down easily and will persist in the environment for decades. They are used in a wide range of consumer products (including food packaging) and have been linked to a number of health issues including reduced response to vaccines, certain cancers, and thyroid disease. Out of over 4,500 PFAS, only two – PFOA and PFOS – are regulated globally.

Unfortunately, PFAS are currently being used in the paper, board and compostable food packaging that is rapidly replacing plastic across the UK. These chemicals are polluting our rivers, accumulating in wildlife and contaminating the food we eat.

In the recently published EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the European Union is recognising the harm these chemicals can cause by committing to ban PFAS from all but essential uses. We want the UK government to do the same by including this commitment in their new chemical strategy.

Find a template to email your MP to demand urgent action from the UK Government here: https://act.fidra.org.uk/pfasfree

To learn more about PFAS:

Read Fidra’s briefing.

See our PFAS briefing.

Our PFAS Webpage.

Read more news.