TL;DR: PFAS-free food paper is now legally required in several US states, and Maine’s own food packaging ban just took effect in May 2026. Restaurants, delis, and food trucks need to know which state rules apply to them, and how to verify a supplier’s claim instead of trusting a label alone.
PFAS stands for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Food paper makers used to add them as a grease and moisture barrier, mostly in sandwich wraps, fry bags, and takeout boxes. PFAS don’t break down in the body or the environment. That’s why people call them forever chemicals.
In February 2024, the FDA confirmed something significant. Grease proof PFAS were no longer being sold for food contact use in the US market. The agency called it the fulfillment of voluntary manufacturer commitments. That announcement didn’t ban PFAS outright. It just meant the big suppliers had already stopped selling it. States stepped in after that and made it a legal requirement.
As of July 2026, PFAS-free food paper is a legal requirement in at least ten states. Each law targets intentionally added PFAS in paper and fiber based food packaging.
| State | Effective Date |
| New York | December 31, 2022 |
| California | January 1, 2023 |
| Washington | May 1, 2024 |
| Vermont | July 1, 2023 |
| Colorado | January 1, 2024 |
| Maryland | January 1, 2024 |
| Minnesota | January 1, 2024 |
| Rhode Island | July 1, 2024 |
| Hawaii | December 31, 2024 |
| Maine | May 25, 2026 |
Maine’s rule is the most recent to take effect. If your restaurant operates in more than one state, standardize on PFAS-free paper everywhere, rather than tracking which location needs what.
Yes. Every food contact paper from Print On Papers uses a PE coating instead of a fluorochemical one, and the base stock meets FDA 21 CFR 176 for substances allowed in food contact paper. None of it carries intentionally added PFAS.
That applies across the custom food papers line, not just a few flagship products. A few examples restaurants order most:
Printing runs on soy based inks too, so the ink itself stays within FDA limits for anything touching food.
A label that says PFAS-free isn’t proof by itself. Here’s what to actually ask a supplier for before you order.
Ask for third party total organic fluorine testing, known as TOF testing. This lab method confirms PFAS absence, not just a claim on a spec sheet. Ask which coating they use by name. PE coating and soy wax coating are common PFAS-free options, so a supplier should name theirs without hesitating. Ask which regulation they test against. A real supplier points to FDA 21 CFR 176 or a specific state statute, not a vague “we’re compliant.”
If a supplier can’t answer these three questions clearly, treat that as a warning sign, especially if your state’s ban is already in effect.
No, and this is where buyers get caught off guard. A state ban stops new PFAS-coated paper from being sold going forward. It doesn’t retroactively certify paper already sitting in your warehouse. Older stock bought before a ban took effect may still contain PFAS, and some out of state suppliers haven’t caught up. Confirm the coating on your current stock, not just on new orders.
| Question | Answer |
| What is PFAS-free food paper? | Food contact paper made without intentionally added per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, usually coated with PE or soy wax instead. |
| Which states require it? | At least ten states as of July 2026, including New York, California, Washington, Colorado, and Maine. See the table above for dates. |
| Is it as grease resistant as the old coating? | Yes. A properly weighted PE coating blocks grease and moisture without fluorochemicals. |
| How do I confirm a supplier’s claim? | Ask for third party TOF test results, the exact coating name, and the regulation they test against. |
| Does the FDA require it nationwide? | FDA confirmed in 2024 that grease proofing PFAS are no longer sold for food use in the US, but state laws, not the FDA, set the legal requirement. |
Switching suppliers before a deadline shouldn’t slow your kitchen down. Print On Papers ships FDA compliant, PFAS-free paper from 500 sheets, with 7 to 10 day production and free worldwide shipping.
PFAS-free food paper went from a nice to have to a legal requirement in a growing list of states, and Maine’s May 2026 deadline proves the list isn’t done growing. The safest path is simple. Confirm your current paper’s coating, ask your supplier the right verification questions, and standardize on PFAS-free stock before your state’s deadline arrives, not after.
Print On Papers is a custom printed paper and wrapping paper company serving restaurants, bakeries, delis, food trucks, butchers, florists, apparel brands and food brands across the US and worldwide. We deliver food-safe, eco-friendly, fully branded custom paper, from your first 500 sheets to your next 500,000