Massachusetts PFAS Food Packaging Bills (H 2450 / S 1588): What Food Businesses Should Know

Massachusetts PFAS Food Packaging: Two Competing Bills

Massachusetts does not currently have a law banning PFAS in food packaging. However, the state's 194th General Court (2025–2026 session) has two proposed bills that would restrict PFAS in food packaging if enacted: House Bill 2450 (H 2450) and Senate Bill 1588 (S 1588).

Both bills are currently in committee and have not been voted on by either chamber. There is no guarantee that either bill will advance to a floor vote, be signed into law, or take effect in its current form. Legislative proposals can be amended significantly, combined, or allowed to expire without action.

That said, the presence of two separate PFAS food packaging bills in the same session suggests growing legislative interest in the issue. Food businesses operating in Massachusetts may want to monitor these proposals and begin evaluating their packaging supply chains now, rather than waiting for a law to take effect. For context on how Massachusetts fits into the broader national landscape, see our complete guide to PFAS food packaging bans in 2026.

Regulation Details

The following summary reflects the Massachusetts PFAS food packaging proposals as currently filed. Because these bills are in committee, the details shown here are subject to change.

Comparing the Two Bills: H 2450 vs. S 1588

While both H 2450 and S 1588 address PFAS in food packaging, they differ in important ways. Understanding these differences can help food businesses assess the range of potential outcomes.

House Bill 2450

• Proposed effective date: January 1, 2030
• Scope: Would prohibit intentionally added PFAS in all food packaging sold or distributed in Massachusetts
• Approach: Focuses specifically on PFAS in food packaging with a longer phase-in timeline, giving manufacturers and distributors approximately four years to transition
• Timeline context: The 2030 effective date is later than most enacted state PFAS bans, which typically take effect within one to three years of passage

Senate Bill 1588

• Proposed effective date: January 1, 2027
• Scope: Targets chemicals of concern in food packaging more broadly, with PFAS included among the regulated substances
• Approach: Takes a more aggressive timeline with a 2027 effective date, which would give the industry roughly one year from potential enactment to comply
• Broader scope: Because S 1588 addresses chemicals in food packaging generally (not only PFAS), it could have wider implications for packaging formulations beyond fluorinated compounds

What Would Be Covered

If either bill were enacted in its current form, the scope would encompass all food packaging sold or distributed in Massachusetts. This would include:

• Plant-fiber packaging — molded fiber clamshells, bowls, plates, paper bags, and wraps
• Coated paperboard — beverage cups, French fry containers, sandwich wrappers, and other grease-resistant paper products
• Plastic food containers — polypropylene clamshells, PET containers, and polystyrene foam (if still in use)
• Paper and cardboard packaging — pizza boxes, bakery bags, deli paper, and food-service liners
• Composite packaging — multi-layer pouches, foil-lined bags, and other mixed-material food packaging

The "all food packaging" scope, if enacted, would align Massachusetts with states like Minnesota and Connecticut rather than the narrower plant-fiber-only approach taken by California under AB 1200. This means businesses would not be able to simply switch from fiber-based to plastic containers to avoid compliance.

Current Legislative Status

As of February 2026, both H 2450 and S 1588 are in committee within the 194th Massachusetts General Court (2025–2026 session). Neither bill has received a committee vote, a floor vote in either chamber, or been sent to the governor.

The Massachusetts legislative session runs through the end of 2026. For either bill to become law during this session, it would need to clear committee, pass both the House and Senate (potentially in different forms requiring reconciliation), and be signed by the governor. This process typically takes months, and many bills do not complete it within a single session.

If neither bill advances during the current session, similar proposals could be refiled in the 195th General Court (2027–2028). The trend across the country is toward more PFAS regulation, not less, so the question for Massachusetts may be when rather than whether some form of PFAS food packaging restriction is adopted.

What This Would Mean for Massachusetts Food Businesses

If Massachusetts enacts a PFAS food packaging ban, food businesses in the state — restaurants, food trucks, catering companies, bakeries, and packaged food brands — would need to ensure that their food-contact packaging does not contain intentionally added PFAS by the effective date.

The practical impact would depend on several factors that are not yet determined:

• Who is liable? Most state PFAS food packaging laws hold manufacturers and distributors responsible, not end-user restaurants. However, the final text of any Massachusetts law could differ. Minnesota, for example, holds food service operators directly liable.
• What are the penalties? Penalty structures are often refined during the legislative process. The final penalties could range from modest fines to significant per-violation assessments, depending on how the bill evolves.
• What is the threshold? Some states set specific measurable thresholds (like California's 100 ppm total organic fluorine), while others use an "intentionally added" standard without a numeric limit. The threshold approach Massachusetts adopts would affect how compliance is tested and verified.
• What exemptions apply? Most state laws exempt trace contamination that is not intentionally added. The specific exemptions in any enacted Massachusetts law would determine the practical scope of the requirements.

How to Prepare

Even though Massachusetts has not enacted a PFAS food packaging ban, there are practical steps food businesses can take now to reduce their exposure to regulatory risk:

1. Inventory your food-contact packaging. Identify every type of packaging your business uses that comes into direct contact with food. Categorize items by material type (plant fiber, coated paperboard, plastic, composite) and note the supplier for each.
2. Ask suppliers about PFAS status. Contact your packaging suppliers and ask whether their products contain intentionally added PFAS. Request written documentation — a Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Analysis — rather than relying on verbal assurances or marketing claims. See our supplier documentation template for guidance on what to request.
3. Identify PFAS-free alternatives. If any of your current packaging contains PFAS, begin researching alternatives now. The transition to PFAS-free packaging is generally easier and less expensive when done proactively rather than under a compliance deadline. Our supplier directory lists vendors who provide PFAS-free packaging with written certifications.
4. Monitor legislative developments. Track the progress of H 2450 and S 1588 through the Massachusetts General Court. Committee hearings, amendments, and floor votes can signal whether and when action is likely. PFAS Packaging Check's alert service monitors regulatory changes across all jurisdictions, including proposed legislation.
5. Consider multi-state compliance. If your business operates in multiple states, or if you source packaging from suppliers who serve customers in regulated states, you may already be partially compliant. Reviewing your packaging against the requirements of states that have enacted PFAS bans — such as California, Minnesota, and Connecticut — can help you assess your readiness for potential Massachusetts requirements.

Further Reading

• PFAS Food Packaging Bans in 2026: The Complete Guide — our pillar guide covering all 14+ US states, Australia, and the EU
• Supplier Documentation Template — what to request from your packaging suppliers to build a compliance file
• How to Check Your Packaging for PFAS — testing methods, what to look for, and when to get a lab test
• PFAS-Free Packaging Cost Guide — what to expect when transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives
• PFAS-Free Supplier Directory — verified suppliers who provide written certifications

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The bills discussed are proposed legislation and have not been enacted. Consult the Massachusetts Legislature website and a qualified attorney for compliance decisions specific to your business. Last reviewed February 2026.