‘Forever chemical’ TFA elevated in staple cereal products

PAN Europe is urging the European Food Safety Authority to revise its safety value for TFA, and for the EC to ban PFAS pesticides and monitor TFA in all foods

Elevated levels of trifluoracetic acid (TFA), a ‘forever chemical’ used in agrochemicals, have been detected in cereal products throughout Europe during a Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe investigation.

In total, 66 different products sourced from 16 European countries were examined, including breakfast cereals, wholemeal and refined bread, croissants, flour, pasta, and popular sweets.

TFA was discovered in 54 samples, with an average concentration of 78.9 μg/kg, 107 times higher than levels in tap water. Wheat products were notably more contaminated, with typical breakfast cereals reaching the highest concentration. A breakfast cereal purchased in Ireland had the highest level of TFA (360 µg/kg), followed by Belgian wholemeal bread (340 µg/kg), wheat flour produced in Germany (310 µg/kg) and a French baguette (210 µg/kg).

TFA is formed when per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and fluorinated hydrocarbon (F-gases) degrade. It is persistent, water soluble, mobile and toxic, and impacts reproduction and development. Industry studies suggest it reduces sperm quality, and affects the thyroid, liver and immune functions.

The chemical accumulates in water and soils, where it can be absorbed by plants. Wheat may be especially good at accumulating TFA, which could explain why high levels were found in staple foods like bread, pasta and children’s biscuits.

The investigation highlights how our diet is a significant pathway of human exposure to TFA, but food authorities currently do not monitor the chemical. PAN Europe is urging the European Food Safety Authority to revise its safety value for TFA, and for the European Commission and Member States to ban PFAS pesticides and monitor TFA in all foods.

Salomé Roynel, Policy Officer at PAN Europe, said: "All people are exposed to TFA through multiple pathways, including food and drinking water. Our findings underscore the urgent need for an immediate ban of PFAS pesticides to stop further contamination of the food chain.”

Angeliki Lysimachou, Head of Science and Policy at PAN Europe, added: "Levels of TFA exceeded the default maximum residue limit for reprotoxic or hormone-disrupting substances in 81.8% of the samples. Pesticides that emit TFA must be urgently banned. We cannot allow children and pregnant women to be exposed to chemicals that we know harm reproductive health."

“…TFA has also been detected in groundwater and drinking water, as well as in juices, beer, wine, dry pulses and leafy vegetables.”

Shubhi Sharma, Scientific Researcher at CHEM Trust said: “It’s very concerning to see that common food products we eat day-to-day are contaminated with TFA, especially given its links to serious health risks. In addition to the cereals tested by PAN Europe, TFA has already been detected in groundwater and drinking water, as well as in juices, beer, wine, dry pulses, and leafy vegetables. Europeans should be able to choose any food item without concerns that it contains problematic substances.”

Sharma said that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently considering whether TFA should be classified as toxic to reproduction, and there are also concerns about its potential adverse impacts on the liver.

The most effective way to prevent further pollution from TFA, Sharma said, is to stop the production and use of fluorinated gases and pesticides that degrade into TFA. She also agreed that the proposed universal PFAS restriction must be implemented as soon as possible, alongside a ban on PFAS-containing pesticides.