Determination of PFAS Compounds in Food Packaging

Importance of the Topic

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, bioaccumulative chemicals widely used in food packaging materials for water and grease resistance. Their exceptional stability and potential toxicity raise concerns about chronic human exposure and environmental contamination.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study aimed to develop and validate a targeted analytical method for the sensitive detection and accurate quantification of 24 PFAS compounds commonly found in paper-based food packaging using accelerated solvent extraction coupled with LC-MS/MS.

Methodology and Sample Preparation

Unprinted recycled paper samples were spiked with a PFAS standard mixture and subjected to accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) using methanol. Extracts were concentrated under a gentle nitrogen stream, reconstituted in a 50:50 methanol:water solution, and filtered through 0.22 µm regenerated cellulose filters prior to analysis.

Used Instrumentation

• Shimadzu LCMS-8050 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization (ESI).
• Shimadzu HPLC system equipped with a Restek Raptor C18 analytical column (2.7 µm, 50 × 2.1 mm) and a Restek PFAS Delay column (5 µm, 50 × 2.1 mm).
• Mobile phase: 5 mM ammonium acetate (A) and methanol (B) at 0.4 mL/min, column temperature 40 °C, injection volume 5 µL, total runtime 10 min.

Main Results and Discussion

Calibration curves for both high and low concentration ranges exhibited excellent linearity (R² > 0.99) for most analytes, although longer-chain PFAS showed slightly reduced linearity at trace levels. Apparent recoveries ranged from 84 % to 94 %, with an average of 88.8 %, meeting EU Reference Laboratory criteria. Method detection limits were determined to be between 0.1 and 0.5 ng/g in paper matrices.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The developed protocol delivers high throughput and outstanding sensitivity (down to 0.01 pg/µL), making it ideal for routine monitoring of PFAS contamination in paper-based food packaging within quality assurance and regulatory frameworks.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Extension to additional PFAS classes and diverse packaging substrates.
• Integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry for non-targeted screening.
• Automation of sample preparation workflows to further increase throughput.
• Adaptation to evolving regulatory limits and emerging contaminant monitoring.

Conclusion

A robust ASE–LC-MS/MS method has been established for reliable quantification of 24 PFAS in food packaging materials. The Shimadzu LCMS-8050 platform offers rapid analysis, high sensitivity, and precision, supporting effective PFAS surveillance in the food contact industry.

References

1. US Environmental Protection Agency. PFAS Laws and Regulations. 2021.
2. European Commission. Order on Food Contact Materials and Penalties under EU Legislation. 2021.
3. EU Reference Laboratory for Halogenated POPs in Feed and Food. Guidance Document on Analytical Parameters for PFAS Determination in Food and Feed. 2020.