New EU restrictions on toxic substances known as "forever chemicals" in food packaging kicked in Wednesday along with broader rules on cutting packaging waste in the bloc.
A class of synthetic chemicals that take an extremely long time to break down, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) face rising restrictions worldwide due to adverse health effects.
"From now on, food-contact packaging containing PFAS above strict limits can no longer be placed on the EU market," said a European Commission statement.
The European Union wants to cut packaging waste which has soared alongside the rise in online shopping and on-the-go consumption in the 27-country bloc.
Under the rules, which will kick in in several stages, the EU demands that all packaging must be recyclable by 2030.
