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New York Adopts Strongest-in-Nation Ban on PFAS in Food Packaging

Victory

With Governor Cuomo’s signature, NY has taken a major step towards reducing PFAS exposure through food packaging

Contacts

Nydia Gutierrez, Earthjustice

Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging in the state effective in 2023. Earthjustice, its partners, and clients are grateful to the Governor, bill sponsors Assemblywoman Pat Fahy and Senator Brad Hoylman, and all the state legislators who followed the science and voted to protect New Yorkers. Toxic PFAS are linked to serious diseases, may exacerbate the detrimental health effects of COVID-19, and may also weaken the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

The following is a statement from Eve Gartner, Toxic Exposure and Health Program managing attorney:

“New York has taken a giant step in protecting its residents from toxic PFAS chemicals. We will be grappling for decades with how to get PFAS out of our drinking water — and to pay the costs of that clean-up — so it is just common sense to prohibit the use of PFAS in food packaging, since we know that these chemicals end up in our food and our bodies.”

PFAS can accumulate in the human body through food and food packaging. A study in 2017 found PFAS in one-third of all fast food wrappers, where it can easily migrate into food.

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Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.