Forever Chemicals + Deceptive Online Ordering + Overdose Prevention Kits + Hot Oil Liability + Responsible Alcohol Consumption

Potentially toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are pervasive in restaurant to-go packaging, according to tests by Consumer Reports published Thursday.

After testing more than 100 packaging products from 24 large national restaurant chains and grocery stores, Consumer Reports found that nearly half had at least one packaging product with high PFAS levels of more than 100 parts per million, or ppm.

Among the restaurant companies with packaging products with the highest levels were Arby’s and Burger King’s paper bag for cookies, for example, Cava’s fiber tray used for kids meals, Chick-fil-A’s sandwich wrapper, McDonald’s’ paper bag for fries, Nathan’s paper bag for sides, Sweetgreen’s bag for focaccia, and Taco Bell’s bag for crisps.

On one hand the critical goal of the operation is to promote alcohol sales so the business can be as profitable as possible. Operators also want to promote a good time so guests will feel happy being there and continue to consume alcohol and spend money.

On the other hand, owners need to be extremely vigilant so as to not allow alcohol consumption to cross the threshold of guests being too intoxicated which could result in the operation being highly exposed to dangerous liability. Owners can potentially lose their liquor license, their business and face significant financial loss if an intoxicated guest endangers themselves, another guest or staff member or someone out in public if they get into an accident while driving away from the restaurant. In addition, owners can risk fines, penalties or jail time involving criminal and/or civil liability.