Quick answer: PFAS-free food packaging matters most for grease-resistant items: pastry bags, wraps, bakery boxes and molded fiber containers. In February 2024, FDA announced that PFAS grease-proofers were no longer being sold for food-contact paper in the U.S., and many states ban intentionally added PFAS in food packaging. Ask suppliers for written PFAS-free statements, especially for older inventory and molded fiber.
Key takeaways
- Grease-resistant paper is where PFAS were used.
- FDA: PFAS grease-proofers no longer sold for U.S. food paper (2024).
- States: many ban intentionally added PFAS in packaging.
- Ask suppliers for written statements, item by item.
What PFAS were doing in food paper
PFAS repel oil and water. In food packaging, some were used as grease-proofing agents so butter from a croissant or oil from a sandwich wouldn't soak through. FDA keeps a page on authorized uses of PFAS in food contact applications explaining how these substances were reviewed and how authorizations have changed.
What changed federally
On February 28, 2024, FDA announced that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold by manufacturers for use in food-contact paper and paperboard in the U.S. market, ending the main source of dietary exposure from grease-proofed paper. Some authorizations were later formally declared no longer effective.
That doesn't guarantee every item in a distributor's warehouse was made after the phase-out, so confirm with your supplier.
What changed in the states
States moved first and continue to act. A 2021 law firm summary from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner listed early laws in states including New York, California, Vermont, Washington, Connecticut, Minnesota and Maine. A September 2025 state-by-state guide from packaging supplier Element lists bans in effect in about a dozen states, including Colorado, Maryland, Hawaii, Oregon and Rhode Island, with Maine's rule scheduled to apply in 2026.
Scope varies: some states ban intentionally added PFAS in any food packaging; others cover specific packaging types or set fluorine thresholds. Check your state's environmental agency.
Which café items to check
| Item | PFAS risk to check | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Pastry bags and sleeves | Grease resistance | Written PFAS-free statement |
| Sandwich wraps and deli paper | Grease resistance | Statement plus spec sheet |
| Bakery and cake boxes | Grease-resistant boards | Statement for the coated board |
| Molded fiber bowls, clamshells, cup carriers | Some used PFAS for oil resistance | Statement; compostability certification if claimed |
| Molded fiber lids | Same | Statement |
| Paper hot cups | Typically lined, not grease-proofed | Lining type and statement |
Questions to ask suppliers
- Does this item contain intentionally added PFAS?
- Can you provide a written statement or certificate for this specific SKU?
- Has the item been tested for total organic fluorine, and against what threshold?
- When was the inventory manufactured?
- Does it comply with the states where I operate?
- If it's labeled compostable, is that certified and does the certification address fluorine?
Talking to customers
If your packaging is PFAS-free, you can say so specifically: "Our pastry bags are made without added PFAS." Avoid broader claims like "chemical-free" or "non-toxic," and keep supplier documentation on file. See our greenwashing guide.
For the rest of your food packaging, see our pastry packaging guide and compostable vs. recyclable guide.
Branded packaging with documentation
Affogato Bean prints branded pastry packaging, napkins and cups for cafés. Ask about PFAS-free options when you request a quote. Talk to us or see products.
General information, not legal advice. State laws vary and change; confirm with your state agency.
Frequently asked questions
What are PFAS in food packaging?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were used in some food-contact paper and paperboard as grease-proofing agents to keep oil from soaking through wrappers, bags and boxes.
Are PFAS still used in U.S. food packaging?
FDA announced in February 2024 that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold by manufacturers for food-contact paper in the U.S. market. Many states also ban intentionally added PFAS in food packaging.
Which coffee shop items should I check for PFAS?
Focus on grease-resistant items: pastry bags, sandwich wraps, bakery boxes with grease resistance, molded fiber containers and lids, and some paper plates. Ask suppliers for written PFAS-free statements.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FDA Announces PFAS Used in Grease-Proofing Agents for Food Packaging No Longer Being Sold in the U.S..”
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Authorized Uses of PFAS in Food Contact Applications.”
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, “PFAS Update: State Regulation of PFAS in Food Packaging.”
- Element Packaging, “PFAS-Free Take-Out Packaging: A Practical State-by-State Guide (Sept 2025).”
Sources checked October 2026. Statistics are reported as published by each source.