In an article published on May 9, 2018 by regulatory news provider Chemical Watch, reporter Tammy Lovell informed about the U.S. State of New York’s move to restrict state agency purchasing of food containers that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) or polystyrene. The New York State’s interagency committee on sustainability and green procurement decided on the measure at a meeting held on April 20, 2018, where committee members approved of “a green specification on food service containers and wrappers.”
The non-profit organization Clean and Healthy New York welcomed the state’s decision, stating that “New York’s leadership will help propel efforts by leading manufacturers to find less-toxic alternatives, shift the market to those better alternatives and accelerate the broader national market change we need.” In contrast, the industry association FluoroCouncil opposed the decision, arguing that the use of PFASs is “thoroughly regulated” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, “[t]his specification is unnecessary, contrary to sound science, and will provide no further benefits to public health or the environment,” Jon Corley, spokesperson of the FlouroCouncil, communicated to Chemical Watch.
Read more
Tammy Lovell (May 9, 2018). “New York sets procurement rule on PFASs in food containers.” Chemical Watch
Clean and Healthy New York (April 20, 2018). “New York green purchasing specifications will now avoid PFAS chemicals in food service items.“
