A study by Pesticide Action Network found high concentrations of 'forever' chemical TFA in Irish cereals. Photograph: Alamy/PAResearch by a European NGO on a controversial “forever” chemical that builds up in the soil and in water systems has found particularly high levels in Irish cereals. Studies have shown the chemical, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), causes harm to reproduction and development in humans, according to Pesticide Action Network (Pan) Europe. The highest level of TFA was found in Irish breakfast cereals, which had a level of 360µg/kg, followed by Belgian wholemeal bread (310), wheat flour produced in Germany (310), and in a French baguette (210). As no specific minimum residue level exists for TFAs in Europe, Pan said a default level of 10 should apply.

Source: The Irish Times December 04, 2025 18:40 UTC