EU curbs on 'forever chemicals' in food packaging kick in

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

The rules apply to materials that come into contact with food, a category that sits at the heart of Emilia-Romagna's industrial identity. The region is home to a dense cluster of packaging machinery manufacturers, many of them based in the Bologna and Modena areas, whose customers supply food producers across Europe and beyond.

For the region's food exporters, the change adds a new compliance layer to an already complex trade environment. Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma and aceto balsamico tradizionale all travel in packaging that must now meet stricter standards, and foreign buyers are likely to scrutinise the new requirements as they negotiate contracts.