Connecticut Bans PFAS In Food Packaging And Firefighting Foam

The legal landscape concerning per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — a class of "emerging contaminants" at the center of increasing health and environmental concerns and creating new challenges for business in a variety of sectors — is continuing to rapidly evolve.  Connecticut is poised to join a number of states banning certain uses of PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam.  The bill (SB 837) passed both chambers of the Connecticut Legislature with near-unanimous bipartisan support and will become law if either signed by Governor Lamont or not vetoed within 15 days of his receipt of the Public Act (approximately the end of June).

With respect to food packaging, beginning in January 2024, the bill prohibits manufacturers and distributors from offering for sale or promotional purposes any food packaging to which any amount of PFAS has been intentionally added.  The bill further prohibits the use of any material intended to replace PFAS or any other