A study released recently by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and 18 IPEN member groups, including the Tunisian Organisation of Environmental Education for Future Generations (AEEFG), found Toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals, including globally banned substances, in single-use, paper, cardboard, and plant-based molded fiber food containers and tableware purchased from 17 countries, including Tunisia. PFAS, also called "Forever Chemicals" due to their extreme persistence in the environment, have been linked to cancer, infertility, and endocrine disruption In Tunisia, PFAS are not yet regulated. The AEEFG deemed it urgent to start examining the food safety of food packaging in terms of additives, especially persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, food packaging is governed by decree No. 2003-1718 of August 11, 2003 on the establishment of general criteria for the manufacture, use and marketing of materials and objects designed to come into contact with f oodstuffs. However, an improvement in this regulatory framework is recommended to protect both consumer health and the environment. "Legislation should require the labelling of chemical substances present in materials in contact with food and in other products, in order to give consumers the right to be informed about the safety of the products they buy," said AEEFG President Semia Gharbi. Many studies and researches have shown that the substances in question, once in food packaging, can seep into the food and therefore into the blood, if they are present at higher levels, she pointed out. "PFAS are widely used in single-use food packaging and tableware especially for fast food, and people are exposed when they eat PFAS-packaged food. Since fast food is especially popular among youth, and PFAS can disrupt the bodies' natural hormones, there is a serious concern that young people may be impacted at critical periods of development," said IPEN's Global Researcher lead author of this study Jitka Straková. "Th e food industry needs to quickly phase-out PFAS and governments should move swiftly toward a global ban on PFAS as a group to stop environmental releases of and human exposure to PFAS," she added. McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Subway, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, and Jolly Time sell food in PFAS-free packaging in some countries but continue to use PFAS-tainted wrapping in other countries, including Tunisia, the study reads. IPEN, AEEFG and other member groups are calling for comprehensive global rules to ban PFAS as a class including polymeric PFAS and for national governments to implement immediate restrictions on the use of PFAS. In addition, governments should produce plans for and fund projects to decontaminate soil and drinking water of communities affected by PFAS pollution. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse