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  5. Analytical Results of Testing Food for PFAS from Environmental Contamination
  1. Chemical Contaminants in Food

Analytical Results of Testing Food for PFAS from Environmental Contamination

<< Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

To understand the potential dietary exposure to PFAS from food, the FDA has focused its testing on foods most commonly eaten by people in the United States. The FDA also conducts testing of food grown or processed in areas with known environmental contamination, to detect and evaluate potential contamination of human and animal food. When the FDA finds a detectable level of PFAS, the agency conducts a safety assessment to evaluate whether the level detected presents a possible human health concern and warrants further FDA action.

Currently there are five PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFBS) from environmental contamination for which the FDA can assess the potential human health concern for levels found in food. The development of toxicological reference values is an area of ongoing scientific research. In the event that FDA detects a type of PFAS for which we do not have a toxicological reference value, the agency will, to the extent possible, characterize the potential risk of that dietary exposure, using available data and information, such as the toxicity of similar compounds.

Testing Results for Food Grown or Produced in Specific Geographic Areas Contaminated with PFAS

  • Dairy Farm, 2018-Ongoing: Samples were collected from two dairy farms (Farm A & Farm B) with known PFAS contamination of groundwater. Based on the best available current science, the FDA has no indication that the levels of PFAS found in the limited sampling of milk from Farm B and cheese from Farm A present a human health concern. The milk samples from Farm A had levels of PFAS that could be a potential human health concern. The FDA has analyzed multiple collections of samples to assess PFAS levels and to date, all milk from Farm A has been discarded and has not entered the food supply. Retail milk samples are also tested for comparison. Sample collection and analysis is ongoing, and results will be updated periodically.
  • Produce, 2018: Produce samples were analyzed from an area with known PFAS environmental contamination, in addition to 1 sample purchased outside of the area as a control. Sixteen of the 20 samples had detectable levels of PFAS. Based on the best available current science, the FDA has no indication that these substances, at the levels found in the sampling, present a human health concern. This sample size is limited; therefore, these results cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about the levels of PFAS in produce grown in this area more generally.
  • Cranberries, 2016: Cranberry samples were analyzed from a bog containing water with known PFAS environmental contamination. None of the 42 cranberry samples had detectable levels of PFAS. This sample size is limited; therefore, these results cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about cranberries grown in this area more generally.

Testing Results for PFAS in Food from the General Food Supply

  • Produce, meat, dairy, and grain products, 2019-Ongoing: Beginning in 2019, the FDA has analyzed for PFAS in multiple collections of samples from the Total Diet Study. The sample sizes are limited; therefore, these results cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about the levels of PFAS in the general food supply.
    • TDS Regional Sample Collections: Composite of multiple samples of each type of food (from three different (cities) in a region). Regionally distributed foods are more likely to vary by location or time of year, such as fresh produce, meats, and dairy products.
    • TDS Regional Collections, to date: Based on the best available current science, the FDA has no indication that the PFAS at the levels found in the limited sampling present a human health concern.
    • TDS National Sample Collections: Composite of multiple samples of each type of food (different brands) are tested. Nationally distributed foods are less likely to vary by location or time of year, such as prepared baby foods and salad dressing.
    • TDS National Sample Collection, August 2021: Based on the best available current science, the FDA has no indication that the PFAS at the levels found in the fish sticks and protein powder, or PFOS in the canned tuna, present a human health concern.  Although the current toxicological data to evaluate dietary exposure to PFDA is limited at this time, the FDA does not recommend avoiding canned tuna based on the low level of PFDA detected in this sample.
  • Carbonated Water and Non-Carbonated Bottled Water, 2016: Samples of domestic and imported carbonated water and non-carbonated bottled water were collected at retail locations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and analyzed for PFAS. The samples included: purified, artesian, spring, mineral, and carbonated waters. None of the 30 samples had detectable levels of PFAS. This sample size is limited; therefore, these results cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about the levels of PFAS in carbonated water and non-carbonated bottled water more generally.
  • Seafood, 2013: Fish and shellfish samples from 13 species of fresh and saltwater fish from across the country were analyzed for PFAS. Eleven of the 46 samples had detectable levels of PFAS. Based on the best available current science, the FDA has no indication that these substances at the levels found in the limited sampling present a human health concern. This sample size is limited; therefore, these results cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about the levels of PFAS in seafood more generally.
  • Milk, 2012: Raw and retail milks were sampled from across the country and analyzed for PFAS. One of the 12 raw milk samples and none of the 49 retail milk samples had detectable levels of PFAS. The one raw milk sample with detectable PFAS was obtained from a dairy farm that had applied PFAS containing biosolids to its fields. Based on the best available current science, the FDA has no indication that these substances at the levels found in the limited sampling present a human health concern. The sample size is limited; therefore, these results cannot be used to draw definitive conclusions about the levels of PFAS in milk more generally.
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