It is important for the NVWA to keep track of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) levels, for instance by monitoring food for the substance. TFA is a substance formed in the environment through the breakdown of PFAS. Greater insight into the actual use of plant protection products containing PFAS is also required. This is the recommendation made by the Office for Risk Assessment and Research (BuRO) to the Inspector General of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

Reason for the assessment

On 22 July 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a report regarding the health-based limit value for TFA. Based on new toxicological information, EFSA concluded that the substance is more toxic than previously assessed in 2017. EFSA lowered the health-based value for long-term exposure by a factor of 3.5. EFSA also established a value for acute exposure to TFA for the first time.

TFA

For example, TFA enters the environment through the use of plant protection products containing a PFAS (poly- and perfluoroalkyl substance) group. Prolonged exposure to TFA can, for instance, cause damage to the thyroid gland; the thyroid is the most critical organ regarding the toxicological effects of TFA. At higher concentrations, TFA also affects the liver and causes adverse effects on animal development. Furthermore, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recently assessed TFA as a highly mobile and highly persistent substance in the environment, noting its harmful impact on male and female fertility, pregnancy, and the development of the unborn child or the nursing infant.

TFA in the environment and in food

In recent years, TFA has been detected in Dutch groundwater at increasingly high concentrations, frequently exceeding the indicative drinking water guideline value of 2.2 µg TFA/L established by the RIVM. TFA has also been detected in groundwater, bottled spring water, beer, wine, and other foodstuffs in various other studies and countries. Since approximately 1980, a sharp rise in TFA concentrations has been observed in these waters and food products. This increases the likelihood of TFA ending up in crops and entering the human food chain.

Concern

We observe the following developments:

  • The use of plant protection products containing PFAS is increasing.
  • The presence of TFA in the environment is increasing, possibly due to the rise in the use of plant protection products containing PFAS.
  • Residues of plant protection products containing PFAS are being detected more frequently in food on the Dutch market.

There is concern that TFA levels will continue to rise in the coming years and pose a food safety risk. This concern is reinforced by new (and more serious) toxicological insights regarding this substance, while information is still lacking on several key aspects, such as the risks of cancer and toxicity following long-term exposure.