Swedish researchers have recently found “elevated levels” of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an HFO byproduct, in juices and drinks –  especially orange juice and some hand-squeezed oranges – as well as in fruit purées for small children.

The researchers did not draw any conclusions in regard to potential health impacts. But the levels detected often exceeded drinking water limits for TFA in some European countries and intake calculations for children suggest orange juice and some purées could result in “significant exposure.”

The results were reported in a white paper – “Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoromethane sulphonic acid (TFMS) in juice and fruit/vegetable purées,” – authored by Patrick van Hees, Patrik Karlsson, Ludmila Bucuricova and Helena Olsman of the PFAS Competence Centre, which is part of Eurofins Food & Feed Testing in Lidköping, Sweden, and Leo Yeung, Researcher in Chemistry at the Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, Örebro University in Sweden.

The researchers believe their work provides the first overview of TFA and TFMS in juice-based drinks and fruit purées for children.

The paper regards TFA as belonging to the category of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), so-called “forever chemicals” that are used in consumer products and in some cases have been linked to cancer and other diseases. The researchers use the scientifically accepted PFAS definition established by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which encompasses substances that have at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom, such as TFA. The paper also studied  trifluoromethane sulphonic acid, another “ultrashort PFAS,” used in lithium-ion batteries.

The paper noted that “one important source” of TFA is phototransformation (hydrolysis in the atmosphere) of refrigerants such as HFO-1234yf, followed by absorption in rainfall. Other sources include the combustion of fluoropolymers, effluents from landfills and treatment plants, and the degradation of some pesticides.

Other studies have found TFA in drinking water and in surface water throughout Europe. In addition, studies have shown that plants can absorb and accumulate TFA, and one study detected TFA in beer and tea.

Study findings

The Swedish study looked at 37 samples of fruit and vegetable-based juices and drinks and nine samples of fruit/vegetable purées for small children. Both conventional and organic

products were analyzed, with organic items having TFA levels sometimes comparable to conventional ones. The products were purchased at local supermarkets in Lidköping from February through July of 2024; the country of origin of the fruit included Brazil, Italy, Spain and Greece for orange juice and Poland and Greece for apple juice.

The highest concentrations of TFA were observed in orange juice (including freshly squeezed oranges) with significant levels (greater than the limit of quantification) found in 13 out of 21 samples. The average of the 13 was 34mcg/L ± 20mcg/L. For apple juice, significant levels were discovered in nine samples with an average of 6.2mcg/L ± 2mcg/L. The tomato juice showed a value between that of apple and orange juice, as did the mixed-fruit juice.

Among the purées, significant levels of TFA were found in two samples: an organic mix of apple, pear, banana and lemon (approximately 30mcg/L) and a conventional mix of peach, apple, banana and lemon (approximately 28mcg/L). “It is not clear why two samples had significantly higher TFA levels than the others, which warrants further investigation,” the paper said. No analysis of pure ingredients was performed on the purées, so no conclusions of relative contributions from the different fruits and vegetables could be made.

“I wasn’t surprised that we found TFA in juice and purée, as we have found the substance everywhere when we have analyzed water, even in drinking water,” said Yeung in an article on Örebro University’s website on September 5. “I was somewhat surprised that the average [orange juice] levels were at 34,000 ng/L, with some samples reaching over 80,000 ng/L, which was higher than my expectations.” The paper noted that these TFA levels are “realistic given the increased knowledge of TFA contamination and uptake into plants.”

The potential toxicity of TFA is still being debated, but its persistence and accumulation in the environment has raised concerns among scientists. Animal studies of rats and rabbits have found negative impacts on liver and reproduction, respectively. This year, the German Federal Office for Chemicals (BfC) submitted to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) a proposal linking TFA and its inorganic salts to reproductive toxicity, based on rabbit studies. Some scientists see a parallel between the health findings for PFOA (an eight-carbon PFAS) and the potential health effects of TFA.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany have all set drinking water limits for TFA. All product samples in the Swedish study with measurable TFA concentrations exceeded the drinking water limit set by the Netherlands (2.2mcg/L) and many surpassed the Denmark limit (9mcg/L); one freshly squeezed orange juice with 84mcg/L passed the German limit (60mcg/L). The paper cited a Dutch methodology whereby a child weighing 10kg (22lbs) could drink 92ml (3.1oz) of orange juice (with an average TFA concentration of 34mcg/L) or about one pouch of the highest TFA purée (30mcg/L) per day to reach the tolerable daily intake limit.

These findings “may imply potential health effects,” said Yeung. “As parents, we don’t need to be overly concerned about the results just yet. However, to better understand the situation, we should demand more information about baby food.”

The European Fluorocarbons Technical Committee (EFCTC), which represents f-gas producers in Europe, did not respond to a request for comment on the Swedish study.

The chemical industry addressed the environmental deposition of TFA in an October 2021 study funded by the Global Forum for Advanced Climate Technologies (globalFACT), which represents f-gas producers Chemours, Honeywell, Arkema and Koura (and equipment manufacturer Daikin). The study concluded that “with the current knowledge of the effects of TFA on humans and ecosystems, the projected emissions through 2040 would not be detrimental.” But the study also acknowledged that “the major uncertainty in the knowledge of the TFA concentrations and their spatial distributions is due to uncertainties in the future projected emissions.”

“As parents, we don’t need to be overly concerned about the results just yet. However, to better understand the situation, we should demand more information about baby food.”

Leo Yeung, Researcher in Chemistry, Örebro University