Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                CFSAN Constituent Updates

CFSAN Constituent Updates Home
          Food
          News & Events from CFSAN
          CFSAN Constituent Updates
          FDA Issues RFI on Fluorinated Polyethylene Food Contact ContainersCFSAN Constituent Updates FDA Issues RFI on Fluorinated Polyethylene Food Contact Containers
  
  	
    Subscribe to Email Updates
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintConstituent Update

July 19, 2022

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a request for information on the food contact uses of fluorinated polyethylene. Fluorination of polyethylene may result in the formation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and this request is part of our continued work to ensure that authorized food contact uses are safe. The FDA is seeking scientific data and information on the current food contact uses of fluorinated polyethylene, consumer dietary exposure that may result from those uses, and safety information on substances that may migrate from fluorinated polyethylene food containers.

Fluorination of polyethylene containers improves chemical barrier properties. The FDA authorized fluorinated polyethylene for general use in contact with food in 1983 (21 CFR 177.1615). This regulation requires specific manufacturing conditions that must be in place during the fluorination process. Last year, testing by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted the migration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a type of PFAS, from fluorinated polyethylene containers used to hold pesticides. In conjunction with EPA’s testing, the FDA became aware of different fluorination processes used in containers for holding pesticides, which are not approved for food contact. To help ensure these alternative fluorination processes are not used in the production of food-contact articles, we issued a letter to industry reminding them that it is the responsibility of the manufacturer of a Food Contact Substance (FCS) to ensure that food contact materials comply with the specifications and limitations in all applicable authorizations.

The FDA monitors new scientific information on FCSs as it becomes available. This includes reviewing scientific literature and studies from other regulatory and health agencies in the United States and in other countries. Considering recent developments, the FDA is seeking additional information on current practices to ensure the safe use of fluorinated polyethylene in contact with food.

To ensure comments regarding “Fluorinated Polyethylene Containers for Food Contact Use; Request for Information” are considered, please submit written or electronic comments within 90 days of publication in the Federal Register.

Submit comments electronically on Regulations.gov to docket number FDA-2022-N-1526.

Submit written/paper submissions to:
Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

All submissions received must include the Docket No. FDA-2022-N-1526 for “Fluorinated Polyethylene Containers for Food Contact Use; Request for Information.”

**Additional Information**

Federal Register Notice: Fluorinated Polyethylene Containers for Food Contact Use; Request for Information
	FDA Issues Letter to Industry on Fluorinated Polyethylene Food Contact Containers
	Authorized uses of PFAS in Food Contact Applications

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      07/19/2022
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesCFSAN Constituent Updates
 Subscribe to CFSAN Constituent Updates
                        Get email updates delivered to your inbox.
    Enter your email address to subscribe:
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop