Why PFAS in Restaurant Water Should Be Your Next Urgent Concern
Recent research from the CDC reveals a startling fact: up to 95% of people worldwide may be exposed to PFAS-contaminated water. If you’re running a restaurant in Asia, this isn’t just a distant issue—it’s a pressing challenge that could directly impact your customers and your business. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily, can infiltrate your water supply, putting customer health and your restaurant’s reputation at serious risk. Water quality might not always seem like a top priority, but the dangers of PFAS make it something you need to address now.
CDC research shows 95% globally drink PFAS-contaminated water—a direct threat to Asian restaurants, customers, and reputations.
How Everyday Sources Bring PFAS Into Your Restaurant
PFAS are contaminating your restaurant’s water, and the problem is more widespread than you might think. These harmful chemicals can enter your water system from multiple sources, both inside and outside your restaurant:
- Inside Your Restaurant:
- Non-stick cookware, grease-resistant takeout containers, and certain cleaning products release PFAS during regular use.
- Plastic bottles and fluorinated containers, often used for water storage or beverages, can leach PFAS into their contents, adding another hidden source of contamination.
Plastic bottles and containers leach PFAS, contaminating water during storage and use.
- External Sources:
- Industrial pollution and firefighting foams are major contributors to PFAS contamination in local water supplies.
- Municipal water systems, which many restaurants depend on, can carry PFAS from upstream sources, delivering them straight to your taps.
The most alarming aspect of PFAS is their persistence. These chemicals never break down naturally, instead accumulating in your water system over time and becoming harder to remove. Invisible and undetectable, they can compromise your food, your customers’ health, and your restaurant’s reputation. Addressing PFAS contamination is no longer optional—it’s a challenge that demands immediate action.
The Real Risks to Customer Health and Satisfaction
PFAS in your water isn’t just a health issue—it’s a direct threat to your customers’ experience and your restaurant’s reputation. Here’s why it’s so serious:
- Health Risks: Long-term exposure to PFAS has been linked to severe health problems, including cancer, liver damage, and immune system issues.
- Taste Problems: Contaminated water can subtly alter the flavor of your food and drinks, leaving customers disappointed.
- Reputation Damage: If customers or the public discover your water isn’t safe, it could destroy your credibility and drive people away.
Even small amounts of PFAS can build up over time, especially for regular customers. In an industry where trust and quality are everything, this is a risk you simply can’t afford to take.
Simple Steps to Identify and Address PFAS Concerns
You can take practical measures to manage PFAS effectively with these steps:
- Test Your Water: Request PFAS analysis from your supplier or a certified lab to assess your supply’s condition.
- Review Kitchen Practices: Identify and replace equipment or materials containing PFAS with safer options.
- Install Filtration: If contamination is detected, deploy a system designed to remove these chemicals.
Taking these steps now will help you stay ahead of the problem and safeguard your business.
A Proven PFAS Solution: Pentair Everpure
At Pentair Everpure, we’re committed to winning the battle against PFAS contamination. We’ve launched our commercial PFOA/PFOS water solutions line in direct response to growing concerns, engineered specifically to combat these persistent chemicals. Here’s how our systems provide powerful protection for your restaurant:
- Precision PFAS Reduction: Our Everpure PFOA/PFOS Reduction Systems and Cartridges are expertly designed to target and reduce forever chemicals to an impressive level of just 20 parts per trillion.
- Comprehensive Protection: Beyond PFAS, our systems also effectively reduce microplastics, lead, chlorine, and other unwanted particles, ensuring the highest water quality and a noticeably improved taste.
- Reliable Performance: Engineered to meet the rigorous demands of food service operations, these systems deliver consistently high-quality water for every aspect of your service.
- Trusted by Top Brands: Leading names like McDonald’s and the World Barista Championship choose Pentair Everpure for their critical water needs.
- Unmatched Expertise: Backed by over 90 years of leadership in water treatment, we provide solutions that address today’s most pressing water challenges with confidence.
Choose Pentair Everpure for certified PFAS reduction and reliable performance.
Let’s raise a glass to that, food service operators! With Pentair Everpure, you can confidently serve water that’s not only safe but elevates the taste and quality of everything you create.
