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.

The EU's action on PFAS reflects growing international concern about the health impacts of these substances, which have been found in water, soil, and even human blood. The new restrictions are among the first to target their use in food contact materials, a step The Local Italy described as a landmark in the bloc's environmental regulation.

For Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the implications are concrete. The region is home to a significant food processing and packaging industry, with companies serving both domestic and export markets. Trieste's port also handles substantial trade in foodstuffs, meaning the new rules will affect logistics and import-export operations along the northern Adriatic corridor.

The regulations are part of a wider EU strategy to achieve a circular economy by 2030, with ambitious targets for reducing packaging waste. The Local Italy noted that Italian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, may face compliance costs as they source alternative materials. Industry associations have called for transition periods to avoid disrupting supply chains during the peak summer season.

Environmental groups have welcomed the restrictions as a necessary step to protect public health, while some manufacturers have expressed concerns about the availability of affordable substitutes. The EU's move is expected to be followed by similar measures in other jurisdictions, potentially reshaping global packaging standards.