EU 'forever chemicals' ban reshapes Campania's food packaging industry

New EU restrictions on toxic substances known as "forever chemicals" in food packaging kicked in Wednesday, along with broader rules on cutting packaging waste in the bloc, according to The Local Italy. The measures target per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals widely used for their resistance to heat and grease but linked to health and environmental concerns.

For Campania, the change lands at the heart of its food economy. The region's prized exports — mozzarella di bufala, San Marzano tomatoes, and other artisanal products — rely heavily on packaging that keeps fresh goods intact during transport. Local producers, many of them small family operations, now face the challenge of sourcing compliant alternatives, a shift that could carry cost implications in a sector already navigating tight margins.