SG 149/26
US Senate proposes banning intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging from 2028.
In September 2026, the US Senate introduced S.5516, the ‘Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026,’ to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) by prohibiting intentionally added PFAS in food packaging.
Under the proposal's definitions, ‘PFAS’ means a man-made perfluoroalkyl substance or a polyfluoroalkyl substance with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
What does the proposal require and when would it take effect?
Key provisions in S.5516 are summarized in Table 1.
| Substance | Scope | Requirement | Proposed effective date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS | Food packaging | Prohibited if intentionally added | January 1, 2028 |
Table 1.
Who is impacted?
S.5516 would affect stakeholders across the food packaging supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers operating in the US.
It is interesting to note that the US House of Representatives has introduced two bills addressing PFAS and other chemicals in food packaging (SafeGuardS 107/26).
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