PFAS In Dishwasher Tablet Film Coatings At Institutional Cafeterias

Water Contamination Lawsuit News

High-volume cafeterias may be flushing PFAS into wastewater as dissolvable films on dishwasher tablets break down during daily dishwashing cycles

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 - Institutional cafeterias at schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and corporate campuses depend on industrial dishwashers that run almost nonstop. To keep those machines operating efficiently, many facilities use pre-measured dishwasher tablets wrapped in thin dissolvable films. These films are designed to dissolve quickly, prevent clumping, and protect workers from direct contact with concentrated detergents. New testing suggests some of these coatings may contain fluorinated compounds that help them resist moisture until use. Once the dishwasher cycle begins, the film dissolves completely and sends its chemical components straight into the wash water. That water is then discharged into floor drains and sewer lines multiple times each day. Because institutional kitchens can process thousands of dishes per shift, the volume of wastewater adds up rapidly. PFAS water contamination Lawyers are increasingly noting that food-service operations can act as continuous upstream sources of pollution, while leading attorneys for water contamination cancer claims caution that repeated low-level releases from routine cleaning products can be just as significant as larger industrial discharges over time.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are commonly used in products that require water resistance, controlled dissolution, and chemical stability. Dishwasher tablet films meet all of those requirements. The EPA has confirmed that once PFAS enter wastewater systems, they are not effectively removed by conventional treatment processes and can pass into surface water or groundwater. In institutional settings, dishwashers often run in extended cycles using high temperatures and strong detergents, conditions that accelerate the breakdown of protective films and mobilize any embedded PFAS. Unlike residential kitchens, these facilities generate steady, predictable wastewater streams every day of the year. Environmental monitoring has shown that cleaning agents and packaging materials can be significant contributors to PFAS loads, even when they are marketed as convenient or safer alternatives to liquid detergents. Utilities attempting to trace PFAS sources are increasingly examining commercial kitchens because their wastewater is both concentrated and frequent.

The findings are prompting food-service managers to rethink products that were once considered minor details. Dishwasher tablets are popular because they simplify inventory and reduce spills, but their coatings may carry unintended environmental costs. Alternatives already exist, including PFAS-free tablet films, bulk powdered detergents, and liquid systems that eliminate dissolvable packaging altogether. Some institutions are also exploring pretreatment options, such as grease traps or filtration systems that can capture contaminants before wastewater enters municipal sewers. Procurement teams are beginning to request clearer ingredient disclosures from suppliers, especially as water quality regulations tighten nationwide. Facilities with high meal volumes are recognizing that even trace chemical releases, repeated across thousands of wash cycles each year, can accumulate into meaningful environmental loads downstream. In summary, the thin films surrounding dishwasher tablets may represent a small but constant source of PFAS entering institutional wastewater systems. Addressing this overlooked pathway could significantly reduce contamination while allowing cafeterias to maintain hygiene standards essential to public health.

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