EU Curbs on 'Forever Chemicals' Reshape Veneto's Food Packaging

New European Union restrictions on toxic substances known as 'forever chemicals' in food packaging took effect on Wednesday, alongside broader rules aimed at cutting packaging waste across the bloc, according to The Local Italy. The measures target per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of chemicals linked to health and environmental concerns.

For Veneto, the change carries particular weight. The region is home to a dense network of small and medium-sized manufacturers, many of which produce food packaging for Italy's vast agri-food export industry, from Prosecco bottles to packaged delicacies. Compliance with the new rules will require shifts in materials and processes.

The restrictions are part of a wider European push to reduce the environmental footprint of packaging, a priority that has gained urgency as the bloc seeks to meet its sustainability targets.