EU 'forever chemicals' packaging curbs hit Milan's food sector

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 class of chemicals widely used for their resistance to heat, water and grease. Their persistence in the environment and links to health problems have made them a focus of EU regulators.

For Lombardy, the timing is significant. The region is home to a dense cluster of food producers and packaging manufacturers, many of them small and medium-sized enterprises that supply Italy's substantial export market in prepared foods, dairy and confectionery.