European breakfast cereals contain toxic pfas chemicals at levels 100 times higher than tap water

A disturbing new study has revealed that breakfast cereals across Europe are contaminated with dangerous levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” – toxic compounds that persist in the environment and human body for decades without breaking down.

The research, conducted by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), found that cereal products contain PFAS concentrations averaging 100 times higher than those detected in European tap water. The contamination stems from the widespread use of PFAS chemicals in agricultural pesticides, which accumulate in crops during farming and food processing.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t naturally degrade and can build up in human tissue over time. Scientific studies have linked PFAS exposure to serious health problems including cancer, liver damage, immune system dysfunction, and developmental issues in children.

The findings are particularly concerning given that breakfast cereals are commonly consumed by families and children daily. While the study highlights cereals as the most contaminated food category, the researchers note that PFAS contamination likely extends throughout the European food supply chain wherever these persistent pesticides are used. The discovery underscores urgent calls from environmental groups for stricter regulation of PFAS chemicals in agriculture and food production, as current safety standards may be inadequate to protect public health from these persistent toxic substances.