For decades, the FDA knew toxic 'forever chemicals' were dangerous but continued to allow their use

FDA allows use of a type of PFAS, chromium complex of perfluoro-octane sulfonyl glycine, for use on paper and paperboard food packaging. The agency says it “is not reasonably expected to migrate.”

DuPont submits two studies to FDA on its PFAS Zonyl RP at FDA’s request. Both 90-day studies showed effects on liver weights, and the rat study showed kidney weight impacts, even months after the chemical exposure ended.

DuPont had estimated that 1,000,000 ppt of Zonyl RP could migrate from packaging into food. FDA calculates that the maximum safe level for Zonyl RP to migrate into food would likely be 100,000 ppt.

FDA rejects DuPont’s petition for Zonyl RP.

In response to FDA rejection, DuPont decides to create new migration estimates, because “additional toxicity studies would . . . be out of the question for reasons of time and money.”

DuPont submits new migration estimate to FDA of 200,000 ppt to water at 150 degrees F and no migration to water at 70 degrees F or for fatty food by applying less Zonyl RP to paper and changing its test method.

FDA determines Zonyl RP is safe at migration levels of 200,000 ppt but requests additional information from DuPont to confirm migration data.

FDA approves Zonyl RP.

FDA approves a 3M petition to use a type of PFAS, ammonium bis(N-ethyl -2-perfluoroalkylsulfonamido ethyl) phosphates, in food packaging.

FDA evaluates a 3M petition to expand uses of its approved PFAS in food packaging and finds the additional uses would increase the amount in the daily diet by 25 percent. FDA recommends approving the petition.

FDA permits 3M petition to expand PFAS uses in food packaging to include fried foods, bakery products, and hot dry fatty foods. FDA estimates that as much as 2,200,000 ppt of 3M’s PFAS could migrate to food that is more liquid and 4,400,000 ppt could migrate to fatty foods.

FDA evaluates a DuPont request to expand uses for Zonyl RP and finds migration could be as high as 510,000 ppt for foods more similar to liquid.

After rejecting DuPont’s petition to expand uses of Zonyl RP at the end of 1970, FDA evaluates the company’s resubmitted migration tests for Zonyl RP and recalculates maximum migration as 70,000 ppt for fatty food and 90,000 ppt for liquid food. FDA concludes expanded uses are safe.

FDA evaluates a Ciba-Geigy petition filed at the end of 1982 to use a PFAS polymer in food packaging for various foods. FDA asks for additional information about migration testing.

FDA finds that duration of Ciba-Geigy’s acute toxicity and 30-day experiments were too short to calculate a no-effect level, but the data “may be considered adequate” if dietary exposure from migration is less than 50,000 ppt.

FDA recommends approving the Ciba-Geigy type of PFAS based on an estimated concentration in the daily diet of 18,000 ppt.

FDA clarifies that the 18,000 ppt estimate for the Ciba-Geigy PFAS in the daily diet applies only to use with fatty foods at room temperature. If approved for both fatty hot foods and fatty room temperature foods, the estimated concentration in the daily diet would be 67,000 ppt.

Ciba-Geigy writes to FDA agreeing to limit use to fatty room temperature foods.

FDA approves Ciba-Geigy’s petition.

FDA evaluates a 3M petition for a new PFAS polymer to replace its previously approved PFAS polymer. FDA says the petition is not acceptable because 3M has not included enough chemical identity and migration testing information.

FDA recommends approving 3M’s new PFAS polymer. FDA estimates that each of the four main chemicals that make up the PFAS polymer will be in the daily diet at concentrations no higher than 10,000 ppt.

FDA approves 3M’s petition for a new PFAS polymer.

As part of the indirect food additive petition for Zonyl RP, DuPont told the agency it expected a migration rate of only 200,000 ppt. But an internal DuPont memo shows that Zonyl RP could contaminate food at 620,000 ppt.

FDA reviews a petition for a new Ciba-Geigy PFAS polymer, Lodyne, for use in contact with multiple kinds of food and concludes additional migration data is needed.

FDA finds that Ciba-Geigy has not adequately tested for gene effects from Lodyne. Based on migration data received, FDA recommends approval for use in containers for reheatable frozen or refrigerated foods but not for other uses without more data.

FDA approves Lodyne for use in containers for reheatable frozen or refrigerated foods.

FDA evaluates a Ciba-Geigy request to allow use of Lodyne in food packaging for five more categories of food. FDA estimates that as much as 520,000 ppt of Lodyne could migrate into food.

FDA approves Ciba-Geigy’s petition for more uses of Lodyne.

FDA allows the use or expanded use of dozens of new PFAS formulas in food packaging.

FDA allows use of a new type of Ciba Specialty Chemicals PFAS, PFASCA, with an estimate that as much as 580,000 ppt could migrate into food, with as much as 11,000 ppt in the daily diet.

FDA reviews a two-year study of the oral toxicity of PFOA in rats and finds there are adverse effects to the liver and testis.

FDA allows use of another new Ciba Specialty Chemicals PFAS.

FDA estimates human cancer risk from exposure to PFOA as part of a review of a food contact notification from Dyneon.

FDA accepts a DuPont food contact notification to expand uses of a DuPont PFAS to be applied to single-use microwave packaging and packaging for various kinds of food.

FDA accepts a DuPont request to increase the amount of its PFAS that can be used on paper and paperboard food packaging. DuPont says the new amount is “slightly higher,” but FDA finds use and dietary exposure are “essentially doubled.” DuPont does not provide any new data.

FDA researchers publish an article showing PFAS migration into food from packaging and cookware.

FDA reviews use of a new PFAS polymer by Clariant. FDA estimates that 21.275 μg/kg of two PFAS components of the polymer will migrate to food.

FDA reviews a DuPont request to use an updated formula of its PFAS polymer in food packaging. FDA rejects DuPont’s exposure calculations but allows the new formula because it estimates overall exposure to this formula to be lower than the previous formula.

As part of its review of the Clariant PFAS polymer, FDA analyzes a DuPont study of how much PFOE-acrylate builds up in the body. DuPont’s animal study shows the half-life is at least 21 days and could be as much as 100 days.

FDA researchers publish an article showing significant PFAS migration into food from popcorn and other foods. FDA also finds common migration testing methods may underestimate actual migration and that oils with emulsifiers can significantly increase the amount of PFAS that migrate to food.

FDA toxicologists finally raise concerns about the safety of long-chain PFAS used in food packaging.

FDA researchers publish another article studying migration of seven different long-chain PFAS into food from packaging.

Several NGOs, including EWG, petition the FDA to revoke approval for three long-chain PFAS chemicals approved for use in food packaging between 1967 and 1997.

An FDA researcher publishes an article on the potential toxicity of short-chain PFAS and the need to address data gaps.

FDA grants the NGO petition and revokes approval of three long-chain PFAS due to safety concerns.

FDA researchers publish an article finding that breakdown products of 6:2 FTOH, a mixture containing PFAS commonly used in food packaging, could build up in the body for long periods.

FDA researchers publish a new article on breakdown products of 6:2 FTOH and find that one of the breakdown products accumulated in the fat, liver and plasma of laboratory rats for over a year.

FDA researchers publish another article that finds industry claims about the safety of 6:2 FTOH have largely ignored publicly available information and that the compound is more toxic than industry indicated to FDA.

FDA announces a voluntary phase-out of some short-chain PFAS, including 6:2 FTOH in food packaging. The voluntary phase-out gives industry until summer 2025 to get 6:2 FTOH off the shelves.

NGOs petition FDA to ban remaining uses of PFAS in food packaging.