* PAN Europe reports Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was detected in 81.8% of 66 cereal-based food samples across 16 European countries, with a peak reported value of 360 μg/kg in Irish-purchased breakfast cereals.
* No brand names are provided in the publicly available PAN Europe press materials with products described by category and country of purchase.
Read Full Report HERE
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA-chemical formula CF3CO2H), a highly persistent “forever chemical” linked to the PFAS family, has been detected in a wide range of cereal-based foods purchased across Europe, according to findings published this month by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe. Read Full Report.
These findings provide compelling evidence that TFA has become deeply embedded in the European diet, demanding urgent regulatory action, with PAN Europe calling for an immediate ban on PFAS pesticides, alongside a protective acceptable daily intake (ADI) that accounts for current toxicological uncertainties and vulnerable populations such as children, according to the precautionary principle. This should be complemented by EU-wide monitoring of TFA in food and the environment, as well as support for farmers to transition towards safer, non-synthetic crop protection methods.
PAN Europe said its investigation analysed 66 conventional cereal products bought in 16 European countries, including breakfast cereals, breads, pasta and flour. It reported TFA was detected in 81.8% (54/66) of samples, with an average concentration of 78.9 μg/kg and peak values up to 360 μg/kg.
Among the highest results cited by PAN Europe was 360 μg/kg in breakfast cereals purchased in Ireland, with other high readings reported in products such as Belgian wholemeal bread and French bakery items.
Important clarification: no product or supermarket brands are named.
While the findings have prompted significant public concern, sadly the published PAN Europe materials coverage fails to identify any specific product names or supermarket brands; only to some wheat-based breakfast cereals bought in Irish supermarkets noting that TFA was not detected in a popular brand of Irish porridge oats, without naming any brand.
PAN Europe’s press release similarly lists results by food type and country of purchase [for example, “breakfast cereals (purchased in Ireland)”] rather than naming retail products.
Regulatory debate and calls for monitoring.
PAN Europe argues the findings highlight the need for routine monitoring of TFA in food and water, the setting of a more protective safety limit, and a move to end sources of contamination including PFAS-related pesticides.
CropLife Europe, representing the pesticide industry, has responded that available assessments indicate no toxicological concern “under realistic conditions of exposure”, and is calling for a risk-based approach while EU assessment processes continue.
Unlike tobacco, whose harms are long-established, TFA is still moving through the EU classification system, a hazard-based step that does not, by itself, determine consumer risk, which depends on exposure.
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