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Jun 24, 2026 - Foods

New EU recommendation on the monitoring of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in feed

PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemical compounds that do not occur naturally and have been manufactured since the mid-20th century. They are very stable and are used in numerous areas due to their special properties, such as in textiles, paper food packaging, firefighting foams, cleaning agents, and pesticides. Their widespread application and high persistence in the environment have led to widespread contamination in the environment.

They can be detected worldwide in water bodies, soils, plants, and animals, and can thus enter the food chain. They are particularly often found in foodstuffs of animal origin.

Since there is currently insufficient data on PFAS in feed, the EU Commission introduced in Recommendation (EU) 2026/1307 an EU-wide monitoring system to also better identify potential sources of contamination.

Member States are to examine feed for four key PFAS:

• Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)

The corresponding data shall be submitted to the authority. 

Sources: 

• BfR: Here to stay: Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in food and the environment from October 7, 2025
• RECOMMENDATION (EU) 2026/1307 OF THE COMMISSION of June 11, 2026, on the monitoring of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in feed