Environmental Leader

A new, corn-based food packaging material may serve as an alternative to packaging with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a synthetic chemical under scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Agency. PFOA is widely used in food packaging because of its abilities to repel grease, oils and water.

Cerealus Holdings LLC’s new packaging material Holdout targets the food-grade packaging sector. Cerealus says the new chemical is non-toxic and can work in microwave popcorn bags, french fry containers, cookie bags, burger boxes, sandwich wrappers, pet food bags, deli paper, pizza box liners and bakey bags, according to a press release.

In 2006, EPA dubbed PFOA a “likely human carcinogen.” The EPA aims to phase out PFOA production by 2015.

Other companies, including ConAgra, have developed corn-based food packaging, as well as other forms of bioplastics.

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