European food massively contaminated by “forever chemicals”

A survey by Générations Futures reveals alarming levels of contamination in foodstuffs, with 69% of fish affected. See below for the detailed report.

Insufficient monitoring and inadequate regulation

A new investigation conducted by the association Générations Futures highlights the worrying extent of PFAS contamination in European food. These per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, nicknamed “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment, represent a major challenge for public health.

The investigation, which compiles official data available in several European countries, reveals significant gaps in the monitoring and regulation of these substances. Of the thousands of PFAS that exist, only three are subject to European monitoring (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS) and only four are subject to regulatory limits.

Contamination rates vary depending on the food item

Analysis of European food samples paints a mixed picture of contamination. Fish appear to be the most affected, with 69% of samples containing at least one of the four regulated PFAS. Offal and shellfish follow, with 55% contamination each.

Eggs have a contamination rate of 39%, while crustaceans have a contamination rate of 27%. Dairy products are not spared, with 23% of milk samples contaminated. Meat is less affected, with 14% of samples testing positive.

The survey also reveals that PFOS accounts for an average of 63% of total contamination with the four regulated PFAS. The highest concentrations are detected in offal and fish.

Beyond regulation: other PFAS of concern

The investigation reveals the presence of seven other dangerous but unregulated PFAS, particularly in offal, fish, and eggs. This discovery highlights the limitations of the current regulatory approach, which covers only a tiny fraction of this family of substances.

Poultry, fruit, and vegetables appear to be less contaminated overall, offering some alternatives to consumers concerned about limiting their exposure.

Regulations serving economic interests

Générations Futures denounces inadequate regulatory thresholds, established not to protect consumer health, but to preserve the economic interests of the food industry. These limits, set at levels high enough to avoid massive product recalls, expose consumers to a significant risk of exceeding the tolerable weekly intake established by the European Food Safety Authority in 2020.

This situation calls for urgent measures to strengthen monitoring, expand regulation, and, above all, tackle pollution at its source in order to effectively protect European public health.

The detailed report