Chemical giants such as BASF, Bayer, Corteva and Syngenta have worked systematically to downplay the toxicity of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) – a “forever chemical” (PFAS) that is already contaminating drinking water across Europe.
This is alarming according to a new investigation by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe, published at the end of September 2025 and cited by the Association “For Affordable and Quality Food”.
The report, titled “Manufacturing Doubt,” reveals how leading manufacturers have delayed the provision of key toxicological data while putting pressure on European regulators – the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
PAN Europe's analysis, based on official documents, documents serious health risks from TFA. Animal tests have found eye and skeletal malformations, thyroid hormone disruption, liver and immune system damage, and impaired sperm quality.
Although European legislation requires a ban on pesticides that release toxic residues like TFA, chemical companies have lobbied for a limit of 294 micrograms per liter in drinking water. This value is more than a hundred times lower than the strictest national standards in Europe.
Pollution in mineral water too
The problem is confirmed by data published by Greenpeace earlier this year. Their analysis showed that 12 out of 16 mineral water samples from Italy and Germany were found to have high levels of TFA. In some cases, the levels exceeded the strictest national limits by more than 20 times. This shows that the contamination is widespread across the EU.
TFA is an extremely persistent and highly mobile compound that accumulates in groundwater and drinking water, as well as in food.
“This is a worrying example of how corporate interests can block scientific truth and endanger the health of millions of Europeans,” said Dr. Eng. Andrey Velchev, Chairman of the Association for Affordable and Quality Food.
Reactions and what's next
“For years, European regulators have been subject to industry manipulation. Now our water across Europe is contaminated with TFA, and every new spraying of PFAS pesticides makes the situation worse. This must stop today,” commented Salome Roynel, policy expert at PAN Europe.
The European Chemicals Agency is currently evaluating the classification of TFA as a toxic substance to reproduce. In parallel, the European Food Safety Authority is working on new safety reference values for consumers.
“Bulgarian institutions must demand immediate action from the EC and regulatory authorities – a ban on PFAS pesticides and clear limits for TFA in drinking water,” urged Dr. Velchev. “The science is clear – TFA is dangerous, accumulates irreversibly in the environment and requires an urgent response. People’s health must come before the profits of chemical corporations.”
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