California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials, such as packaging and cookware.
Senate Bill 682 (SB 682) was passed by the state legislature, but was returned without Gov. Newsom’s signature due to concerns about the impact the bill would have on the availability of affordable options in cooking products.
PFAS, also referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down in the human body or environment over time, leading to their accumulation, are commonly used as coating agents in nonstick cookware, as well as grease-proof and water-proof food packaging. These chemicals are subject to increasing scrutiny due to the harms they cause to human health, such as cancers, liver and heart damage, immune and developmental damage to infants and children, and other effects.
In his veto letter, Gov. Newsom wrote, “I share the author’s goal to protect human health and the environment by phasing out the use of PFAS in consumer products. However, the broad range of products that would be impacted by this bill would result in a sizable and rapid shift in cooking products available to Californians… I believe we must carefully consider the consequences that may result in a dramatic shift of products on our shelves.”
He continued, “I encourage the author and stakeholders to continue discussions in this space, while ensuring that we are not sacrificing the ability of Californians to afford household products like cookware with efforts to address the prevalence of PFAS.”
If it were signed into law, SB 682 would have prohibited for sale in the state by January 2028 any cleaning products, dental floss, juvenile products, ski wax, or food packaging that contained intentionally added PFAS. By January 2030, the prohibition would have applied to cookware containing intentionally added PFAS.
