A new analysis of grain-based products from 16
European countries has found widespread presence of TFA, a member of the
so-called “forever chemicals” group PFAS. The findings point to persistent
contamination in the food chain and are reinforcing calls for tighter
regulation across the EU.
New evidence on the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in grain-based food products is raising concerns for both food safety and agricultural production. A study conducted by the PAN-Europe analyzed 66 products including breakfast cereals, pasta, bread, and flour sourced from 16 EU countries. High levels of TFA were detected in 54 of the samples.
TFA belongs to the PFAS group and is formed through the breakdown of industrial chemicals and pesticides. Due to its persistence in the environment, it is classified as a “forever chemical.” The study found particularly high concentrations in wheat-based products, with levels exceeding those typically found in drinking water by more than 100 times.
Highly soluble in water, TFA can spread widely through rainfall and wastewater. Existing treatment technologies remain limited in their ability to remove it effectively, pointing to a broad impact extending from agricultural production to food processing.
PFAS compounds have been linked to adverse effects on the immune system, reduced fertility, and developmental risks. Experts underline that their persistence and tendency to accumulate in the environment and human body make their long-term impact especially concerning.
At the EU level, regulatory scrutiny on PFAS is intensifying. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are working on a joint proposal to restrict their use, while the European Commission is considering a broader phase-out of PFAS in consumer products. Existing restrictions on PFAS in firefighting foams are expected to take effect by 2030.
PFAS have long been on the radar of regulators worldwide due to their persistence and bioaccumulative properties. In Europe, recent regulatory momentum is also accelerating the search for alternatives, particularly in agriculture and the food sector.