Rhode Island Governor signs new law banning PFAS in food packaging

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed a new law banning PFAS in food packaging, becoming the 9th state to do so. Public health, community and environmental organizations urged Massachusetts legislators to do the same by passing the pending bill to ban PFAS in food packaging in Massachusetts (S2893/H4820) filed by Senator Michael Moore and  Representative Jack Lewis this session.

“The bottom line is that we shouldn’t have to worry that our lunch is exposing us to toxic chemicals,” said Deirdre Cummings, Legislative Director, MASSPIRG.  “Is it really worth risking our health so our hands don’t get greasy?”

PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalklyl substances) are a class of chemicals that resist water, oil, heat, and friction. They are added to food packaging to prevent food from leaking through containers. Wrapping food in PFAS-laden packaging is irresponsible and dangerous. PFAS have been linked to a wide variety of health problems including immunosuppression, low birthweight, liver disease, and testicular and kidney cancer. The new law prohibits food packaging to which PFAS have been intentionally added in any amount from being manufactured, knowingly sold, or distributed in Rhode Island, as of Jan. 1, 2024. Nine states have passed similar bills including CA, CO, MN, ME, VT, NY, CT, and MD.