The California Governor has approved AB 1200 which prohibit perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plant-based food packaging and disclose chemical used in cookware.

Prohibition of PFAS in plant-based food packaging

Starting from 1 January 2023, it is prohibited to distribute, sell or offer for sale of any food packaging containing regulated PFAS in California. The applicable food packaging is that it is comprised of paper, paperboard, or other materials originally derived from plant fibers. The replacement of PFAS chemicals in this kind of packaging shall be least toxic.

Chemical disclosures for cookware

1. Starting from 1 January 2024, cookware sold in California that contain one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle of cookware or any surface that come into contact with food shall list the presence of those chemicals on the product label.
   In the label, it shall start with the statement “This product contains:” and list out the intentionally added chemicals afterward. In addition, the following statement shall be included:
   “For more information about chemicals in this product, visit”, followed by both of the following:
   • An internet website address for a web page that provides all of the information
   • A quick response (QR) code or other machine-readable code, consisting of an array of squares, used for storing an internet website for a web page that provides all of the information
   The above label shall be in both English and Spanish, visible and legible to the consumer, including on the product listing for online sale. There are some exemptions for the cookware to comply with the labeling requirements.
2. Starting from 1 January 2023, cookware sold in California that contain one or more intentionally added chemicals present on the designated list in the handle of cookware or any surface that come into contact with food shall post the following information:
   1. A list of all chemicals in the cookware that are also present on the designated list.
   2. The names of the authoritative list or lists referenced by the Department of Toxic Substances Control in compiling the designated list on which each chemical in the cookware is present.
   3.  A link to the internet website for the above list.
3. Starting from 1 January 2023 on the internet website, and from 1 January 2024 on the cookware packaging, the cookware shall not be claimed that it is free of any specific chemical if the chemical belongs to a chemical group or class identified on the designated list.

Note:

• PFAS: a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
• Food packaging: includes food or beverage containers, take-out food containers, unit product boxes, liners, wrappers, serving vessels, eating utensils, straws, food boxes, and disposable plates, bowls, or trays.
• Cookware: durable houseware items that are used in homes and restaurants to prepare, dispense, or store food, foodstuffs, or beverages. “Cookware” includes pots, pans, skillets, grills, baking sheets, baking molds, trays, bowls, and cooking utensils.
• Designated list: the list of chemicals identified as candidate chemicals that exhibit a hazard trait or an environmental or toxicological endpoint that meets the criteria specified in regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control