On August 25, 2015 Online Post, the digital edition of the Danish newspaper The Copenhagen Post, published an article on a new, lowered limit for fluorocarbons in food packaging, as recommended by the Danish Minister of the Environment and Food, Eva Kjer Hansen. “The safety of the consumer is paramount and there shouldn’t be any damaging fluorocarbons in paper and cardboard that comes into contact with our food products,” Hansen stated. She also intends to push the EU towards stricter regulation of fluorocarbons in food packaging. The new guidance value for fluorocarbons has been established by researchers from the National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Food). Researchers Xenia Trier, Anne Marie Vinggaard and colleagues have developed the value based on current scientific data, as well as practical, environmental and economic considerations for businesses, authorities and consumers.
In May 2015, retailer Coop Denmark announced that it will stop selling microwave oven popcorn in its stores because the packaging contains polyfluorinated compounds of concern (FPF reported). In June 2015, the Danish consumer council published an investigation of nine microwave oven popcorn brands and found that all packaging contained fluorocarbons (FPF reported).
Fluorocarbons have water and grease repellent properties and are used in food contact materials such as baking paper, pizza boxes, and, as mentioned, microwave oven popcorn bags. They are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in animals and humans. Some fluorocarbons are potential carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.
Read more
Christian W. (August 25, 2015). “Danish government to limit use of fluorides in food packaging.” Online Post
Gwen Buck (August 18, 2015). “PFCs: In our blood, in polar bears – and in packets of microwave popcorn! (updated with Danish controls).” CHEM Trust
DTU Food (August 28, 2015). “Guidance value on fluorinated substances in food packaging.”
Jenny Eagle (September 1, 2015). “Reaction to Danish government limit on fluorocarbons in baking paper, pizza boxes & food wrapping.” Food Production Daily
