As of August 12, 2026, stricter rules on food-contact packaging are in force, and the new restrictions on so-called 'forever chemicals' are just the beginning of major changes awaiting consumers by 2030.
As of today, August 12, 2026, hamburger boxes, baking paper, or any other packaging intended for food contact can no longer be sold on the European Union market if they contain excessive amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) introduces strict limits on these chemicals, known for their extreme persistence in the environment and potential harm to health.
According to the German news agency (dpa), PFAS substances are suspected of being harmful to health, and the new rules apply to all food-contact packaging, regardless of the material from which it is made. Packaging that was lawfully placed on the market before today's date can still be used and does not need to be withdrawn, but all new packaging must meet the specified limits.
The regulation, in Article 5.5, sets three different thresholds for PFAS in food packaging. The first limit is 25 ppb (parts per billion) for any individual PFAS measured by specific analysis, excluding polymeric PFAS from this measurement. The second threshold is 250 ppb for the sum of all PFAS, obtained through specific analyses, with prior degradation of precursors where applicable, again excluding polymeric forms. The third limit of 50 ppm (parts per million) applies to PFAS including polymeric forms.
If the total fluorine in packaging exceeds 50 mg/kg, the manufacturer or importer must provide additional information showing what proportion of that fluorine comes from PFAS and what comes from other substances. It is important to note that the ban applies to concentrations "equal to or greater than" the stated values, not just those that "exceed" them.
In addition to PFAS, the new regulation also restricts other substances of concern. As Gordana Pehnec Pavlović, independent advisor in the Industry Sector of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, told HRT: "It refers to the concentration of substances of concern in packaging. These are cadmium, lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium, whose total amount must not exceed one hundred milligrams per kilogram. An additional substance being restricted is PFAS, exclusively for food-contact packaging." She also announced a reduction in the maximum allowable empty space in packaging, noting: "It used to happen that packaging had a false bottom."
Although often associated with plastics, PFAS substances were used precisely for their ability to repel water and grease and can be part of various materials and coatings. The European Commission explicitly lists oil-resistant coatings for paper and cardboard that come into contact with food among their applications. This means that replacing plastic packaging with paper does not automatically eliminate the problem of these chemicals.
The ban does not apply to dishes, pans, or kitchen utensils that may also contain PFAS, as they are not packaging within the meaning of this regulation and are subject to their own rules.
Today's date marks the start of application of the PPWR, but most provisions that consumers will feel come into force gradually. According to sources, in the future, packaging will need to be recyclable and as small as possible. Certain single-use plastic packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables will be banned. Very lightweight plastic bags will also be banned unless necessary for hygiene reasons or for loose food items, helping to combat food waste.
From February 2027, changes that directly affect citizens' daily habits will come into force. Consumers will be able to use their own containers for takeaway food and drinks. Gordana Pehnec Pavlović explains: "There will no longer be single-use packaging for coffee to go, eat to go, as we popularly call it, but the consumer will bring that packaging themselves, and they are responsible for its hygienic condition, not the one who fills it." A year later, catering establishments and stores selling food will have to provide a deposit return system for packaging.
The biggest changes for consumers, however, are expected from 2030. At that time, single-use plastic packaging for on-site consumption of food and drinks will be banned, as will small packages of condiments, sugar, and milk. Hotels will have to eliminate mini cosmetic products, and many are already preparing for these conditions. Srđan Pujo, hotel director in Dubrovnik, revealed: "A few years ago, we removed small shampoos, conditioners, gels, and the like. We essentially have dispensers in the rooms. It has proven to be excellent; guests have no objections. As for plastic, we have also replaced it, such as room cards, disposable toothbrushes, and razors; everything is now wooden and everything is recycled."
Caterers are aware of the challenges posed by the new rules. Hrvoje Margan, president of the Caterers and Tourism Workers Guild of the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, said: "There are very serious hygiene standards and HACCP, with a new one coming in September, where we will have to be even more rigorous, according to regulations. Those who supply us with our takeaway containers, which we use, they will need to get themselves regulated; actually, the problem will be more with them than with us."
According to Eurostat, the EU's statistical office, in 2023, the Union generated 177.8 kilograms of packaging waste per inhabitant. The new rules set ambitious reduction targets: 5 percent by 2030, 10 percent by 2035, and at least 15 percent by 2040, all compared to 2018 levels.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established in 2020 a tolerable weekly intake of 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight for four specific PFAS: PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFOS. Although this value cannot be directly compared to the limits for packaging, it illustrates the level of concern among regulators about human exposure to these substances.
