Landmark study finds PFAS in every Tesco food product tested

PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, were detected in every Tesco food product analysed in a first-of-its-kind study by the University of Birmingham, commissioned by environmental campaign group Foodrise. Several products, including cod fillets, turkey sausages and tinned hot dogs, contained what campaigners described as “worryingly high” levels of the chemicals.

The University of Birmingham team analysed a range of meat, dairy and fish products purchased from the UK’s largest supermarket, including branded and own-brand products, organic and non-organic lines, and foods sold in different packaging materials.

PFAS concentrations were measured in nanograms per gram (ng/g). Although the amounts detected were extremely small, PFAS are known to accumulate in the body over time, prompting concerns about the impact of long-term exposure.

Tesco boneless cod fillets recorded the highest PFAS concentration at 1.198ng/g, followed by Tesco sardines in brine (1.192ng/g), turkey sausages (0.899ng/g), Kingsfood hotdogs in brine (0.838ng/g) and Tesco smoked mackerel fillets (0.605ng/g). Most meats, eggs and cheeses contained lower concentrations, although whole milk recorded 0.564ng/g.

Researchers said the most significant finding was not the concentration detected in any individual product, but the presence of PFAS in every sample analysed.

Tesco must stop profiteering on the back of the nation’s health and take immediate steps to remove all forever chemicals from its products.”

Carina Millstone, Executive Director of Foodrise

PFAS findings intensify regulatory pressure

The findings emerge amid growing regulatory scrutiny of PFAS in the UK. In February, the government unveiled its first national PFAS Plan, outlining measures to assess PFAS risks in food packaging, strengthen monitoring and reduce public exposure to the chemicals. The move marked the UK’s first coordinated national strategy for tackling PFAS contamination.

Pressure intensified in April when MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) called for restrictions on PFAS in food packaging, cookware and agricultural applications, warning that the chemicals pose a growing threat to human health and the environment. The committee also urged ministers to introduce legal limits for PFAS in food and take stronger action to prevent contamination entering the food chain.

The findings are likely to increase scrutiny of PFAS contamination pathways across food production, packaging and agricultural supply chains as policymakers, retailers and manufacturers face growing pressure to improve monitoring and transparency.

Calls for greater food safety oversight

PFAS are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body. Research has linked exposure to the substances with cancers, immune suppression, infertility and developmental problems.

Foodrise has urged Tesco to recall products found to contain high levels of PFAS and review its food safety standards.

“We at Foodrise are shocked and angry that Tesco, which last year raked in £65 billion in revenue, is selling its millions of customers foodstuffs containing harmful PFAS,” said Carina Millstone, Executive Director of Foodrise. “Tesco must stop profiteering on the back of the nation’s health and take immediate steps to remove all forever chemicals from its products.”

We take the safety of our products very seriously. Our products and packaging are safe and comply with relevant UK and EU legislation.”

Tesco

The campaign group also criticised Tesco for not acting on a petition signed by almost 12,000 people calling on major supermarkets to remove PFAS from food packaging. Foodrise noted that Co-op, Asda and Morrisons have already committed to removing PFAS from own-brand food packaging.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We take the safety of our products very seriously. Our products and packaging are safe and comply with relevant UK and EU legislation. 

”We have reviewed the claims from Foodrise and the products they tested are below legal limits for PFAS. Own Brand products tested for PFAS as part of our own testing programme comply with relevant legal limits. 

”We are also working closely with our Own Brand suppliers to meet the incoming EU legislation for food packaging.”

Scientists highlight need for wider monitoring

The findings come as scientists continue to debate what constitutes a safe level of PFAS exposure. The European Food Safety Authority recommends that weekly intake of certain PFAS should not exceed 4.4 nanograms per kilogram of body weight. However, some researchers have questioned whether existing thresholds fully account for the cumulative effects of lifelong exposure from multiple food and environmental sources. 

Dr Mohamed Abdallah, Chair in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, added: “It’s alarming that PFAS were detected in every single food sample tested. While PFAS concentrations and profiles varied among samples, this pilot study highlights the urgent need to monitor PFAS in UK food items and the wider environmental context (i.e., soil, water and fertilisers) to understand the sources and risk of PFAS in our food.

”We need a collaborative effort among stakeholders (scientists, farmers, supermarkets, the government and the public) to take necessary action to limit PFAS risk to public health and the environment.”

The study is likely to intensify debate around how retailers, manufacturers and regulators monitor PFAS contamination across the food system, particularly as the UK considers tighter controls on the chemicals in food, packaging and agricultural applications.