PFAS Found In Plastic Food Crate Wash Water At Distribution Centers

Water Contamination Lawsuit News

Testing shows plastic food crates used in large distribution hubs may release PFAS into wash water during high-volume cleaning and sanitation cycles

Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Plastic food crates are essential to modern food distribution, moving produce, meat, and packaged goods from farms and processors to stores every day. These crates are designed to be durable, lightweight, and easy to sanitize, and many are treated with additives that help them resist grease, staining, and repeated exposure to heat and chemicals. Recent environmental testing suggests that some of those treatments may include PFAS. At distribution centers, crates are washed in large automated systems that use hot water, detergents, and high pressure to meet food safety requirements. During these cleaning cycles, PFAS can migrate from crate surfaces into the wash water. That water is typically discharged into floor drains connected to municipal sewer systems. For communities already concerned about long-term PFAS exposure, the idea that routine food logistics could contribute to water contamination is unsettling. Distribution centers may clean tens of thousands of crates per day, creating a continuous stream of rinse water. Even if PFAS concentrations are low in each cycle, the sheer volume means the total load can be significant over time. Because PFAS do not break down, repeated discharges can quietly build up in wastewater systems and downstream environments without obvious warning signs. PFAS cancer lawsuits and water contamination claims give individuals and families harmed by contaminated drinking water the chance to work with PFAS cancer lawyers to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering caused by PFAS exposure.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are commonly used in plastics and food-contact materials because they resist heat, oils, and repeated mechanical stress. The EPA has documented PFAS in wastewater streams associated with industrial washing and sanitation processes, noting that high-temperature cleaning can increase chemical release. In distribution centers, crate washers operate continuously, and the wastewater they generate is rarely treated on-site. Once PFAS enter municipal treatment plants, they are not effectively removed and can pass into surface water, groundwater, or concentrate in sewage sludge. Environmental monitoring near industrial food corridors has found PFAS patterns consistent with repeated, low-level discharges rather than isolated industrial spills. The EPA has also warned that PFAS from food-handling equipment may re-enter the food system indirectly if contaminated sludge is applied to agricultural land. As regulators expand PFAS monitoring, food distribution infrastructure is gaining attention alongside more traditional sources like manufacturing and firefighting activities.

The discovery of PFAS in plastic food crate wash water may prompt changes across the food logistics industry. Some crate manufacturers are exploring alternative polymers and surface treatments that do not rely on fluorinated chemistry. Distribution centers may also evaluate wash-water management, including filtration systems that capture contaminants before discharge. Clearer labeling of crate materials would help operators understand potential chemical risks and make informed purchasing decisions. Food safety programs already emphasize cleanliness and traceability, and environmental safety may become a larger part of that framework. Consumers expect the food supply chain to protect both health and the environment, and reducing hidden chemical releases is part of meeting that expectation. By addressing PFAS at the crate-washing stage, distribution centers can help limit a widespread but often overlooked source of long-lasting water contamination while maintaining the hygiene standards the food system depends on.

More Recent Federal Government Water Contamination Lawsuit News:

Let Our Water Contamination Attorneys Help You

Our attorneys specialize in holding large corporations accountable when they've placed profits ahead of safety. Through settlements and winning verdicts, our attorneys have obtained millions for our clients. Let us help you today.

Lawsuits for PFAS Contaminated Drinking Water

Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold the federal government accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.

No-Cost, No-Obligation Water Contamination Lawsuit Case Review

Sidebar

Who Can File a PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuit?

Find Out If You Qualify
Contact Us for a Free Case Review

TOLL-FREE HELPLINE 1-833-ONDER-LAW


Federal Government Water Contamination Lawsuit News