A major new investigation has uncovered the presence of high levels of so-called 'forever chemicals' in a range of popular breakfast cereals and cereal-based products sold across Europe. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed study, have sparked significant concern among public health experts and consumer groups.
Widespread Contamination in Everyday Foods
The research, conducted by a team of scientists and published in early December 2025, analysed 75 cereal product samples from supermarkets in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The products tested included well-known brands of cornflakes, wheat biscuits, muesli, and granola.
Alarmingly, the study detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a substantial number of the samples. These synthetic chemicals, dubbed 'forever chemicals' due to their extreme persistence in the environment and the human body, are linked to a range of serious health issues. The highest single concentration found was 56.8 micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg) in a sample of cornflakes.
While there is no specific legal limit for PFAS in food within the European Union, the study's authors compared their findings to the strict safety thresholds proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Several samples exceeded EFSA's recommended weekly safety limit for PFAS exposure, with some cornflake samples containing enough to surpass the limit if just a 30-gram serving was consumed daily.
Sources of Contamination and Industry Response
The precise route of contamination into these dry food products remains under investigation. Scientists suggest several potential pathways. PFAS are commonly used in manufacturing for their non-stick and water-repellent properties and can enter the food chain through contaminated water, soil, or food packaging. The study noted that the chemicals could originate from the agricultural stage, such as through the use of contaminated sewage sludge as fertiliser, or during industrial processing and packaging.
In response to the study's publication, industry representatives have emphasised their commitment to safety. A spokesperson for Cereals Partners Worldwide, associated with the Nestlé brand, stated they adhere to all regulatory requirements and are working to understand the findings. A representative from Kellanova, the parent company of Kellogg's, highlighted their rigorous quality standards and ongoing efforts to minimise environmental contaminants.
Health Implications and Calls for Action
The discovery of PFAS in everyday breakfast items is particularly troubling due to the chemicals' known health risks. Extensive scientific research has associated PFAS exposure with increased cholesterol levels, reduced immune response, certain cancers, and developmental problems in children. Because these chemicals do not break down easily, they accumulate in the human body over time, making even low-level exposure through diet a significant concern.
Environmental and health campaigners are using the study's results to demand urgent action from regulators and food producers. Dr. David Megson, an environmental chemist from Manchester Metropolitan University who was not involved in the study, described the findings as "very concerning," especially given that cereals are often marketed as healthy and are consumed frequently by children.
There are growing calls for the establishment of legally enforceable maximum limits for PFAS in food across the UK and EU. Campaigners argue that the current regulatory vacuum is unacceptable, leaving consumers unprotected from chronic exposure. The study underscores the need for comprehensive monitoring of the food supply and accelerated efforts to phase out the use of these persistent chemicals entirely.
For now, the advice to concerned consumers remains limited, as PFAS contamination is difficult for individuals to detect or avoid. The situation highlights the critical importance of robust, preventative food safety regulations that keep pace with emerging scientific understanding of chemical threats.
