PFAS in the Agri‑Food Sector: A Growing Analytical Challenge 🍠🔬

An investigation by journalists Emilie Rosso (France 3 Lorraine Champagne-Ardenne) and Nicolas Cossic (Disclose) reveals, for the first time in the agri‑food sector, the presence of PFAS—so‑called “forever chemicals”—within the production chain of Cristal Union, the company behind the sugar brand Daddy.

From beet fields to processing plants 🚜🏭, PFAS have infiltrated production and affected several by‑products later used as animal feed 🐄 or as “natural” fertilizers 🌱🌾.
Although the industrial operator does not use PFAS in its processes, it faces the same challenge as many others: a widespread environmental contamination.
Notably, no PFAS were detected in the produced sugar or alcohols.

A Circular Contamination Cycle 🔄

Polluted washing waters are spread across 22,000 hectares 🌾 in around thirty municipalities, re‑contaminating soils 🌱 and contributing to a circular pollution loop.

A DREAL inspection report (May 2025) highlights the recurring presence of PFAS in various by‑products: beet pulp, wheat dregs, molasses, vinasses, and traces in beet pellets.

An Analytical Challenge Highlighted 🔬

DREAL underlines that the commonly used AOF measurement, intended to estimate total PFAS, remains imprecise, with highly variable results observed by Cristal Union.
Additionally, TFA, a potentially present PFAS molecule, is not analyzed because it is considered “too expensive and complex,” despite regulatory requirements to account for all PFAS and their degradation products.

📌 One thing is certain: action starts with knowledge.
🔬 Measuring is the first step toward any effective response.

Diversifying Methods: The 19F NMR Alternative 🛠️

CASC4DE is advancing analytical capabilities for proactive PFAS pollution management, offering a non‑targeted measurement of total fluorine and total PFAS to better understand contamination patterns.

📚 Full article (FR)