Rhode Island Governor Signs into Law Notable Ban on Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Food Packaging

July 8, 2022

Read the full article by Safer States

"On Tuesday, July 5, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed into law a policy that bans toxic chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in all types of food packaging by 2024. In addition to becoming the 11th state to ban PFAS from food packaging, this policy requires food packaging solutions to be less hazardous and targets PFAS chemicals used as release agents in production if they end up in food packaging. Rhode Island’s policy will also restrict PFAS and heavy metals in recycled content food packaging starting in July 2027.

Health and environmental advocacy organizations from Rhode Island and states across the country applaud this move and anticipate more government policies to follow. Clean Water Action and Safer States released the following statements in response to this news.

“After years of advocacy, we’re excited to see this bill finally become law,” said Jed Thorp, state director, Clean Water Action Rhode Island. “Legislators heard from thousands of constituents about why PFAS have no place in food packaging, which made the difference in getting the bill passed.”