Overview

The California Safer Food Packaging and Cookware Act of 2021 (AB 1200), authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, does three things:

1. Bans toxic PFAS chemicals in paper food packaging in California. The bill bans the sale or distribution of plant-based food packaging that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of hazardous chemicals known as PFAS. PFAS are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down; they build up in our bodies and the environment, endangering future generations.

Toxic PFAS are widely used in plant-based (paper) food packaging such as cardboard or paper. Examples of PFAS in food packaging include paper wraps, liners, bags, sleeves, dinnerware (plates, bowls, trays), and takeout containers made of molded fiber. From this packaging PFAS get into our food and water. PFAS migrate into the food from the packaging. PFAS remaining in the food packaging, contaminates soil when it is composted and water systems when it is landfilled.

These chemicals are linked to serious health problems, including breast and other cancers, birth defects, hormone disruption, kidney and liver damage, and thyroid disease.

PFAS have also been linked immune system toxicity – including decreased antibody response to vaccines, an effect that is particularly concerning now in light of COVID-19. Learn more about the links between PFAS and breast cancer.

2. Requires cookware manufacturers to disclose hazardous chemicals, such as PFAS and BPA (Bisphenol-A). Chemicals to be disclosed are those from the CA Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) Candidate Chemical List. The disclosure must be on the product label and online.

A recent report by the Ecology Center found that the majority of pans tested, and one fifth of the bakeware tested, were coated with PTFE, a form of PFAS commonly known by the brand Teflon™. When PTFE-coated pans are heated, especially above 400-500ºF, they can release hazardous chemicals, contaminating the air we breathe. In addition to consumer exposures, toxic and persistent chemicals like PFAS in cook and bakeware can expose workers, nearby communities and the environment during the manufacturing stage. PFAS in cook and bakeware can also contaminate groundwater, drinking water, soil and communities suffering from environmental racism at the disposal stage, including through landfilling, recycling or incineration.

3. Prohibits misleading advertising on cookware packaging about unsafe chemicals in cookware. For example, claims that a product is free of a specific hazardous chemical when other chemicals from the same class are present.

Some marketing claims on cookware labels are misleading buyers into believing the product is free of hazardous chemicals. As an example, pans claiming to be “PFOA free” often contain other harmful PFAS chemicals like PTFE.

BCPP is cosponsoring this legislation with our partners the Center for Environmental Health, Clean Water Action, Environmental Working Group and Natural Resources Defense Council.

Fact Sheets

Learn about the health hazards lurking in cookware and bakeware.

PFAS in Food Packaging March 2021

Toxic Chemicals of Concern in Cookware March 2021

Supporters

As of August 26, 2021

Companies/ Industry Associations

1. Compost Manufacturing Alliance
2. Integrated Resource Management LLC
3. Marin Sanitary Services
4. Northern California Recycling Association
5. Repurpose*
6. Klean Kanteen

Public Agency Associations

1. California Association of Sanitation Agencies
2. Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts*
3. Association of California Water Agencies*

NGOs

1. Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
2. American Academy of Pediatrics, California
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists CA District IX*
4. Ban Single Use Plastics
5. Black Women For Wellness Action Project
6. Breast Cancer Action
7. Breast Cancer Over Time
8. Breathe Southern California
9. California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative
10. California Health Coalition Advocacy
11. California Product Stewardship Council
12. Californians Against Waste
13. CalPIRG
14. Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice CCAEJ
15. Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education (COARE)
16. Center for Public Environmental Oversight
17. Clean Production Action
18. Coalition for Clean Air
19. Community Water Center
20. Consumer Federation of California
21. Consumer Reports*
22. Courage California
23. Defend Our Health
24. Educate. Advocate.
25. Emphysema Foundation of America
26. Erin Brockovich Foundation
27. Families Advocating for Chemical & Toxics Safety (FACTS)
28. Five Gyres Institute
29. Friends Committee on Legislation of California
30. Friends of the Earth
31. Heal the Bay
32. Just Transition Alliance
33. Keep A Breast Foundation
34. MADE SAFE / Nontoxic Certified
35. Michael J Fox Foundation
36. National Stewardship Action Council
37. Pacoima Beautiful
38. Plastic Oceans International
39. Plastic Pollution Coalition
40. ReThink Disposable
41. Safer States
42. San Francisco Baykeeper
43. San Francisco Bay Area Physicians for Social Responsibility
44. Save Our Shores
45. Science and Environmental Health Network
46. Seventh Generation Advisors
47. Sierra Club California
48. UPSTREAM
49. Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation
50. Women’s Voices for the Earth
51. Woodland Coalition for Green Schools
52. Worksafe
53. Zero Waste USA

*Sent solo letters of support