GREENSBORO, N.C. — When we go to the grocery store, we're used to checking all kinds of labels, from the expiration date to the calorie count. Now some doctors want you to look for another label - one that says no PFAS. Irish Kerry Gold butter is prized by many consumer reports for its grass-fed goodness. But what consumers may not have realized is that the grease-resistant wrapper contains per- or polyfuloroalkyl carbons, PFAS for short. This is a toxic artificial compound.
The research on PFAS
University of Notre Dame biochemist, Graham Peaslee, co-authorized studies on PFAS. His team uses a special particle accelerator to test fluorine levels in products. He says, "they're used in over 1600 different industrial processes and products. They make Teflon pans non-sticky. They make clothing waterproof. They make packaging waterproof."
What's being done
In late 2022, Kerry Gold stopped restocking its foil-wrapped butter to retool its packaging for California and New York ahead of new state PFAS laws. The company provided a statement in part - "We will continue to ensure packaging for our products remains compliant with all relevant state legislation and regulatory requirements."
Kerry Gold's butter wrapping is not linked to bad health outcomes. But PFAS in general has been linked to certain cancers and other health dangers like high cholesterol and pre-eclampsia in those who are pregnant.
What consumers should look for
Many companies have voluntarily removed intentionally-added PFAS from their products or packaging. The site PFAS Central by scientists at the Green Policy institute lists dozens of companies with PFAS-free products including "Clean at Sephora," Ikea, H&M, and Chick-fil-a food packaging. According to Peaslee, big companies pledged to phase these out by 2025. Smaller companies have already begun to do so. He also says they're hard to come by, but consumers should look for labels that say "No PFAS."