Culver's is working to phase out food wrappers containing PFAS

MADISON - Your beloved butter burger or cheese curds could come with a side of "forever chemicals," though Culver's is working with its packaging vendors to phase out the toxic chemicals.

The company uses some wrappers containing PFAS, or oper- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

"At Culver's, we are always looking for ways to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests — including the movement to phase out PFAS from food packaging," said Eric Skrum, Culver's Director of Public Relations and Communications, in an emailed statement. "All but one of our many suppliers have already achieved PFAS-free status and they are on track to be PFAS-free by the end of this year."

The company declined to offer any further details about which food wrappers contained PFAS, or what percentage of their food wrappers are purchased from the company still using the compounds.

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It isn't surprising to find that a company has PFAS in its wrappings, according to Department of Health Services toxicologist Sarah Yang.

"We know that food can be a major source of PFAS exposure — some studies estimate up to 50% of PFAS exposure can be from food," she said in an email. "However, it is unclear whether this exposure is from the food itself or the packaging."

PFAS are a family of man-made chemicals used for their water- and stain-resistant qualities in a multitude of products we come into contact with, such as clothing and carpet, nonstick cookware and packaging. The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time.

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The chemicals have been linked to types of kidney and testicular cancers, lower birth weights, harm to immune and reproductive systems, altered hormone regulation and altered thyroid hormones. The chemicals enter the human body largely through drinking water, but can also be consumed if food comes into contact with PFAS-containing packaging.

But even though the compounds are used in many types of food wrappers, levels of PFAS in water are a larger concern.

"At this time, data are not available to estimate risk from food packaging exposure," Yang said. "On the other hand, when levels of PFAS in drinking water are elevated, drinking water can be the dominant source of exposure."

Culver's is far from the only fast-food restaurant to use PFAS in its food wrappers. The chemicals are known for their ability to resist grease and keep it from migrating into your lap during your on-the-go lunch in the car.

A recent study by Consumer Reports tested packaging from 20 different restaurants, including McDonald's, Arby's, Burger King, Taco Bell and Chick-fil-A found the compounds in different packages.

The study found PFOA and PFOS, two of the most well-known and well-researched PFAS compounds and are no longer manufactured in the United States. The report said it is likely that the wrappers containing those compounds were made overseas or companies were unknowingly still using them in their processes.

Also found was PFBA, or perfluorobutonoic acid, which is commonly used in wrappers, according to DHS.

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While PFAS can be hard to avoid, there are ways to reduce your exposure to them.

Yang recommended using a water source that is below the state's recommended drinking water level of 20 parts per trillion, following fish consumption advisories from the Department of Natural Resources, vacuuming your home regularly and ensuring not to swallow water when swimming.

The Consumer Reports study also recommended favoring retailers that have pledged to reduce PFAS, transfer takeout food out of its packaging when you can, don't reheat food in its original packaging and testing your drinking water for the compounds.

Laura Schulte can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.