EU 'forever chemicals' curbs touch Basilicata's food chain

New European Union restrictions on toxic substances known as 'forever chemicals' in food packaging came into force on Wednesday, along with broader rules on cutting packaging waste across the bloc, according to The Local Italy. The measures target per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals linked to health and environmental concerns, which have been widely used in food contact materials.

For Basilicata, the timing is significant. The region's agricultural sector, which produces everything from durum wheat for pasta to olive oil and the famous pecorino cheeses of the Murgia plateau, relies heavily on packaged goods for both domestic sale and export. Producers who have not yet transitioned to PFAS-free packaging now face a compliance burden that smaller operations may struggle to absorb.

The broader packaging waste rules also carry weight in a region where recycling infrastructure is uneven. Basilicata's municipalities, particularly in the interior, have historically lagged behind northern Italy in waste management capacity, and the new EU requirements add pressure on local authorities to modernise collection and sorting systems.