Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of fluorinated hydrocarbons that are used in various products such as textiles, cosmetics, paper and cookware due to their water, dirt and grease repellent properties. These substances are persistent and difficult to degrade, allowing them to accumulate in the environment and therefore enter the food chain.
Moreover, these substances can further accumulate in the human body and pose health risks. The health risks of PFAS were investigated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) where guidelines for standardisation were proposed. No European standards have been defined so far.
