Denmark has proposed to ban perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances from paper and cardboard used in food packaging by 2020.

According to Daily Stock Dish, some of the foods and food packaging found to contain PFAS include microwave popcorn, fast-food wrappers and pizza boxes. PFAS are also found in products that are stain- and water-repellent or nonstick. If the ban is passed, it would be the first of its kind by a nation, the report notes.

Daily Stock Dish has more details:

Denmark has proposed banning harmful as PFAS from food packaging by 2020, in what would be the first ban of its kind by a nation.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” because of their inability to break down in the environment, would be banned from paper and cardboard used with food, according from the Danish Ministry of Environment and Food on Monday.

The chemicals are used to make products grease- and water-repellent, though studies have shown that they can have adverse health effects on humans and animals.

Read the full article here.