FDA Issues Import Alert for Food Products with Chemical Contaminants Including PFAS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a new import alert for human food products with detectable levels of chemical contaminants that may present a safety concern to human health. The Import Alert 99-48, Detention without Physical Examination of Foods Due to Chemical Contamination, gives the FDA the ability to help prevent entry of human food products into the U.S. if they are found to be contaminated with a broad range of human-made chemicals including benzene, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), among others.
PFAS are a diverse group of thousands of chemicals used in many different types of products. PFAS in the environment can enter the food supply through plants and animals grown, raised or processed in contaminated areas. It is also possible for very small amounts of certain PFAS to enter foods through food packaging, processing and cookware.