Fast-food wrappers and packaging that contain so-called forever chemicals are no longer being sold in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday.
It’s the result of a voluntary effort with U.S. food manufacturers to phase out food contact packaging made with PFAS, the acronym for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which do not degrade and can harm human health.
Starting in 2020, the FDA obtained commitments from U.S. food manufacturers to phase out PFAS in wrappers, boxes and bags with coating to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through.
Why? Make it a requirement.
Two things:
In this case, I see that line as indicating to the readers/public that the industry was cooperative in this move and didn’t need to be coerced. It’s a single line that is not only giving the reader more context but also a well deserved nod to the industry.
Also, regulation can and should follow, but that’s going to happen at the speed of politics and government. Far better for everyone involved to get the changes done now and regulate later rather than make zero changes until and unless laws are passed.
…and you can’t accomplish that without industry cooperation. But in this case the industry is cooperating, and progress was made quickly. And the industry, for all of its many flaws, deserves recognition for it.