EU 'forever chemicals' curbs hit Italian food packaging

New European Union restrictions on toxic substances known as "forever chemicals" in food packaging took effect Wednesday, along with broader rules on cutting packaging waste across the bloc, The Local Italy reported. The measures target per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals linked to health and environmental risks.

The rules will require manufacturers of food packaging to phase out PFAS, which have been widely used for their resistance to heat, water, and grease. The Local Italy noted that the restrictions are part of a broader EU push to reduce packaging waste and address the environmental persistence of these chemicals, which do not break down in nature.

For Italy's food industry, the changes are significant. The country's packaging sector, a major supplier to the agri-food chain, must now adapt to new compliance standards. The Local Italy's report highlighted that the rules apply across all member states, creating a uniform regulatory framework for the single market.