In an article published on May 21, 2019, regulatory news provider Chemical Watch informed about a bill introduced in the U.S. congress to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food containers and cookware. The bill, introduced by representative Debbie Dingell from the U.S. state of Michigan, is titled the “Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act.” According to a press release, this bill would enable “the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to deem PFAS substances in any food containers or cookware as unsafe” and requires the FDA to enforce the ban by 2022. “Everywhere you look, PFAS is threatening public health and contaminating our way of life,” representative Dingell said. “We already know the double cheeseburger and fries are not the most healthy meal, but no one suspects the dangerous chemicals seeping into your food from the wrapper or food containers. This important legislation ensures unsafe, hazardous chemicals are not allowed near the food we eat.”

Dingell has led previous efforts to address PFAS including introduction of “The PFAS Action Act” to congress, which would require the U.S. EPA to list all PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances within the Superfund clean-up program, enabling resources to clean up contaminated sites. She recently spoke about PFAS at a congressional hearing of the Energy and Commerce Committee, which considered multiple bills.

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Chemical Watch (May 21, 2019). “Bill to ban PFASs from food packaging introduced in Congress.

Debbie Dingell (May 17, 2019). “Dingell Introduces Bill to Ban PFAS in Food Containers and Cookware.

U.S. Congress (May 17, 2019). “H.R.2827 – To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance used as a food contact substance to be unsafe and therefore treated as adulterated under such Act, and for other purposes.

ACC (May 22, 2019). “ACC testifies on PFAS chemistries at Senat EPW hearing.

American Chemistry (May 22, 2019). “INSIGHT: With PFAS one-size-fits-all isn’t the answer.American Chemistry Matters

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