EFSA has reduced the acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) — a PFAS breakdown product — from 0.05 mg/kg to 0.014 mg/kg per day after reviewing new evidence, including potential effects on the thyroid. TFA has been widely detected in drinking water; the change lowers the benchmark regulators use but does not ban the chemical. EFSA and ECHA will complete joint studies on PFAS conversion to TFA by next summer, which will inform future monitoring and regulation.
EU Cuts Safe Daily Limit For 'Forever Chemical' TFA — What It Means For Drinking Water
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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has sharply reduced the amount of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) considered safe for daily human consumption, raising fresh concerns about a widely detected breakdown product of PFAS — the so-called "forever chemicals."
What Changed
EFSA set a new acceptable daily intake (ADI) for TFA at 0.014 mg/kg body weight per day (previously 0.05 mg/kg/day). In the unit sometimes used in news reports, this is about 0.00000049 ounces per 2.2 pounds, down from approximately 0.0000018 ounces per 2.2 pounds.
Why It Matters
TFA can form when certain PFAS compounds degrade — including degradation products of some pesticide active ingredients — and can migrate into groundwater, soil and food crops. Regulators have detected TFA widely in drinking-water samples across Europe. EFSA's review cites new evidence of potential effects on the body, notably on the thyroid system, which prompted the tighter guidance.
Regulatory and Public Health Implications
- This is not a ban: The lowered ADI resets the benchmark regulators use to judge whether daily exposure is acceptable, but it does not outlaw TFA.
- Monitoring and communication: The change will influence how governments monitor water and food, how utilities communicate potential risks to consumers, and how policymakers prioritize cleanup and chemical regulation.
- Further research: EFSA and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are jointly studying how PFAS degrade into TFA and how TFA behaves in soil and water, with a joint report expected by next summer.
Context
PFAS are used in a broad range of products — from nonstick and stain-resistant coatings to certain medical devices and agricultural sprays — and are of growing concern because they persist in the environment and can travel through ecosystems. The updated ADI reflects shifting guidance as scientists gather stronger evidence on health and environmental effects.
Practical note for consumers: While the new ADI tightens safety benchmarks, consumers should follow local water quality advisories and await further guidance from national regulators. Authorities in EU member states already monitor PFAS in drinking water and food, providing data to compare with the new threshold.
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