PFAS rules in food contact packaging: what the EU PPWR means for your brand in 2026

If you sell food or drink into the EU, the rules on PFAS in your packaging are now clear, and that clarity makes planning easier. Since August 2026, food contact packaging has to stay within strict PFAS limits, and proven paper based options already meet them.

The short answer

Since 12 August 2026, food contact packaging placed on the EU market must stay within strict PFAS limits under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The limits are low enough that any deliberate PFAS treatment of paper or board will not pass.

The reassuring part: proven paper based alternatives already meet the rule, so most brands can switch without losing performance.

What changed, and when

PFAS, sometimes called forever chemicals, were used for years to help paper and board resist grease and moisture. The PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) now sets maximum PFAS levels for food contact packaging through Article 5(5), and these have applied since 12 August 2026.

To be precise, the rule is not a flat ban. It sets concentration limits. In practice those limits are so low that any intentional PFAS coating has to go, so for most brands the effect is the same.

PFAS is one part of a wider set of PPWR duties. For the full picture across heavy metals, the Declaration of Conformity, recyclability and labelling, see our PPWR compliance guide for packaging buyers. This article stays focused on the PFAS limits and what meets them.

The three limits, explained simply

From 12 August 2026, food contact packaging may not be placed on the EU market if its PFAS content reaches any of these levels.

Limit	What it measures
25 ppb	Any single PFAS, found through targeted lab analysis
250 ppb	The total of all PFAS found through targeted analysis
50 ppm	Total PFAS, including polymer types

There is a helpful shortcut too. If a material's total fluorine sits below 50 mg/kg, it is treated as compliant with no further testing. A good supplier keeps this evidence ready in their technical file.

PFAS coatings and the alternatives, side by side

Barrier approach	Meets PPWR limits	Recyclable paper	Good for
PFAS coating (traditional)	No	Often not	Being phased out
Water-based dispersion coating	Yes	Yes	Cups, board, trays
Mechanical paper barrier	Yes	Yes	Straws, cutlery, wraps
Plain uncoated paper	Yes	Yes	Dry and low-grease foods

Does this apply to the UK?

This is the question UK brands ask first, and the answer is clear. The PPWR applies to packaging placed on the EU market, whoever makes or sells it. So a UK business shipping food or drink into the EU needs its EU bound packaging to meet the limits. Within Great Britain there is not yet a single matching rule, but the direction is similar and PFAS in food packaging is under active review. Many brands hold one compliant standard across both markets to keep things simple.

‍

Where PFAS tends to hide

PFAS rarely show on a label, so it helps to know where they were used. They gave paper a barrier against grease and moisture, which points to a few common places:

Grease resistant papers for fast food, bakery items and fatty foods
Moisture or oil barriers on takeaway boxes and food trays
Some coatings and laminates on paper cups and board

Plain, uncoated paper and board are very unlikely to carry PFAS. The risk sits mainly with barrier treatments, so that is where to focus your checks.

Compliance you can show, not just claim

EU SUP Compliant

Single-use plastic rules

100% FSC

Responsible sourcing

EN 13432

Compostable

ISO 9001

Quality managed

The alternatives that meet the rules

Packaging that performs well without PFAS already exists and is widely used. Two approaches do most of the work. Water based dispersion coatings give paper a barrier using water based materials rather than fluorinated chemicals, and keep the paper recyclable. Mechanical paper barriers build the resistance into the paper itself, so the pack performs with no PFAS coating at all.

At Hello Straw, our A-Cup and food boxes use a plant based, water based barrier coating, around 0.6% by weight and free of fluorinated chemicals. See the paper range or request a sample kit

Your checklist for PFAS confidence

PFAS evidence checklist

0 / 6

Map your range. List every food-contact pack you place on the EU market, and flag anything with a grease or moisture barrier. Good looks like: a short list with the barrier packs marked.
Ask your supplier two clear questions. Does the material contain PFAS, and do they hold total fluorine and targeted PFAS test results. Good looks like: a written answer plus the reports.
Collect the evidence. For coated or laminated packs, get the test results in writing for your technical file. Good looks like: total fluorine below 50 mg/kg, or targeted results within the limits.
Line up any swaps calmly. For packs you cannot confirm, choose a PFAS-free option such as a water-based coating or a mechanical paper barrier. Good looks like: a like-for-like replacement, tested on your own line.
Keep one tidy file. Store declarations and reports together so your Declaration of Conformity is quick to produce. Good looks like: one shared folder with a named owner.
Review once a year. Recheck when you change supplier, material or coating. Good looks like: a calendar reminder against the owner's name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the PPWR ban PFAS outright?

Not as a flat ban. It sets maximum PFAS levels so low that deliberate PFAS treatment of food packaging will not pass.

What are the PFAS limits for food packaging?

25 ppb for any single PFAS, 250 ppb for the total, and 50 ppm for total PFAS including polymer types.

Does the PPWR apply to the UK?

For packaging that reaches the EU or Northern Ireland market, yes, wherever your business is based. For GB only ranges it does not apply directly, though many brands align anyway to keep one standard.

What can I use instead of PFAS coatings?

Water based dispersion coatings and mechanical paper barriers are the two main routes, both suitable for food contact.