Two prominent environmental groups have filed a lawsuit over PFAS contamination against one of the leading food container manufacturers in the U.S., indicating that the toxic and potentially cancer-causing chemicals were knowingly applied to the surfaces of ketchup, mayonnaise and other food containers.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include a group of over 9,000 man-made chemicals that have been widely used for decades, to resist grease, oil and water. However, they are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”, since they persist in the environment and human body, building up over time and increasing the risk of a myriad of adverse health effects, including liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, high cholesterol, obesity, hormone suppression, and cancer.
The Center for Environmental Health and the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) filed a complaint (PDF) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on December 27, 2022, asking for an injunction that would immediately halt Inhance Technologies USA’s production of PFAS contaminated food containers.