Traces of TFA Detected in 100% of Swiss Bread and Wine Samples, Raising Food Safety Concerns

Residues of trifluoroacetic acid, known as TFA, have been detected in bread and wine sold in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, according to recent laboratory analyses commissioned by the Swiss public broadcaster RTS. The findings come after TFA was already identified in groundwater samples across Switzerland in 2024, raising concerns about the presence of so-called “forever chemicals” in the country’s food supply.

TFA is used as a reagent and solvent in industrial processes and can also form as a byproduct when pesticides and refrigerants break down. The substance is not currently regulated in Switzerland or the European Union. Scientists warn that TFA could potentially affect the reproductive systems of living organisms, although its impact on human health remains unclear due to a lack of comprehensive studies.

For the recent investigation, RTS collected samples of bread and wine from major supermarket chains including Lidl, Migros, Aldi, and Coop in western Switzerland. All tested products contained traces of TFA, including those labeled as organic. The concentration of TFA in wine ranged from 11 to 150 micrograms per kilogram, while bread samples showed levels between 29 and 130 micrograms per kilogram. These amounts are on average about 50 percent lower than those found in similar products elsewhere in Europe.

Despite the relatively low concentrations, health experts say the presence of TFA in food and drinking water is concerning. Murielle Bochud, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Health Systems at Lausanne University’s Center for General Medicine and Public Health, told RTS that “from a health perspective, it is a problem to find TFA in drinking water or food.” However, she noted that the detected levels are well below the threshold set by the European Food Safety Authority, which considers up to 0.03 milligrams per kilogram of body weight as an acceptable daily intake.

Swiss authorities are taking a cautious approach. The Federal Food Safety Office (BLV) stated it will monitor developments at the international level—particularly within the EU and World Health Organization—before making any policy decisions. Industry groups representing Swiss winemakers and grain producers also responded to RTS inquiries. The Swiss Winegrowers’ Association said more information is needed before taking action because there are “numerous potential sources of contamination.” The association assured consumers that Swiss wines continue to meet food safety standards. Swiss Granum, the umbrella organization for Switzerland’s grain sector, said it was previously unaware of TFA residues in bread and does not plan any immediate measures due to insufficient data.

Research into TFA’s effects on human health faces additional hurdles after federal authorities recently cut funding for a large-scale study that would have included measuring population exposure to toxic substances such as PFAS chemicals. Bochud described this as a missed opportunity, explaining that researchers now have to rely on studies from other countries to assess risks.

Animal studies have linked TFA exposure to fetal malformations and reproductive disorders. No human studies on TFA have been published so far, but experts believe similar effects could occur in people. Linda Bapst, head of consumer protection and veterinary services for the canton of Valais, pointed out that the European Chemicals Agency has proposed classifying TFA as potentially toxic to reproduction—a designation often applied to this type of chemical compound. She added that pregnant women and young children could face higher risks but emphasized that there is still not enough data for a definitive assessment.

Calls for more research are growing at both national and European levels as scientists and regulators seek clearer answers about how widespread TFA contamination may be and what it means for public health. For now, Swiss authorities and industry groups are waiting for further evidence before considering new regulations or recommendations for consumers.