Is PFAS food packaging baby Safe for Babies 0–12 months?
For babies 0–12 months, PFAS food packaging baby is best avoided. PFAS compounds in grease-proof food packaging may migrate into baby food.
Why this rating?
PFAS compounds in grease-proof food packaging may migrate into baby food. EPA recommends choosing PFAS-free food packaging when available.
Editorial summary
This summary is editorial and is not part of the reviewed rating above. Ratings are unchanged.
At 0 to 12 months
Most food in the first year is home prepared or sold in jars and pouches rather than paper packaging, so the grease-proof paper the FDA's action addressed is less of an issue at this age.
What PFAS are
PFAS are a large family of synthetic chemicals that resist oil, grease and water, which is why some were used to make paper and paperboard food packaging grease-proof. They persist in the environment and in the body.
What the FDA has done
The FDA announced in February 2024 that grease-proofing agents containing PFAS are no longer being sold for use in food packaging in the United States, ending the main source of dietary exposure from packaging such as fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, take-out containers and pet food bags. Earlier, long-chain PFAS used for grease-proofing stopped being used for food contact between 2011 and 2016. In January 2025 the FDA determined that 35 related food contact notifications were no longer effective because the products were no longer made or used.
What remains
The FDA's action covers grease-proofing agents on paper and paperboard. PFAS authorized for other uses, such as nonstick cookware, were not part of it, and PFAS can also reach children through drinking water and other sources. This entry stays at Avoid because there is no benefit to a baby, but the exposure from packaging in the United States has fallen. Choosing home-prepared or unpackaged food over take-out packaging remains a simple way to reduce exposure further.
In short
In short, PFAS grease-proofing agents are no longer sold for food packaging in the United States, which has removed the main packaging source. Other sources such as drinking water remain, so the packaging step is only one piece, and a pediatrician or your local water utility can answer questions about your home.
How PFAS food packaging baby is rated by age
The same ingredient can carry a different rating as a child grows. These are the ratings for each age group that has a guide for PFAS food packaging baby.
| Age group | Rating |
|---|---|
| babies 0–12 months | Avoid |
| toddlers 12–24 months | Avoid |
Other age group
Is PFAS food packaging baby safe for toddlers 12–24 months?Sources
- EPA — regulatory_or_public_health_body
- EFSA — regulatory_or_public_health_body
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, MSc Nutrition, Certified Naturopath & Nutritionist — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general feeding information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's allergies and needs.
Checking a whole product?
Scan a baby food label with LabelBaby to see every ingredient checked for your child's age. Learn about LabelBaby, or browse every 0–12 months ingredient guide.
