A new study has revealed widespread contamination of European cereal foods with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a toxic “forever chemical” formed when pesticides containing PFAS break down in soil. The research, conducted by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), found that breakfast cereals contained the highest concentrations — averaging 100 times more than levels detected in tap water.
TFA was present in 81.5% of the 65 cereal products tested across 16 European countries. Contaminated foods included breakfast cereals, pasta, breads, croissants, flour and confectionery. Wheat-based products showed the highest levels, with Irish cereal ranked most contaminated, followed by wholemeal bread samples from Belgium and Germany, then French baguette.
PFAS — used in manufacturing and agriculture since the 1950s — are known as “forever chemicals” because they take centuries to degrade. Once they enter soil or water, they can accumulate in crops, eventually reaching the food chain. TFA is reprotoxic and has been linked to thyroid disruption, fertility problems, liver impacts and weakened immune function.
Campaigners say the findings highlight a major health concern, especially for children. PAN Europe is calling for stricter limits on TFA exposure, a ban on PFAS pesticides, and routine monitoring of food products — none of which currently exist at government level.
Although the UK was not included in the study, PFAS pesticides remain widely used there, with 27 active ingredients registered — six considered highly hazardous. Researchers warn that without regulatory action, contamination of the food supply could worsen.
“All people are exposed to TFA through food and water,” said Salomé Roynel of PAN Europe. “We urgently need to ban PFAS pesticides to prevent further contamination.”
