California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have banned the sale of cookware and other consumer goods containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” The decision, announced on Monday, followed months of debate involving celebrity chefs, lawmakers, and environmentalists.
In his veto message, Newsom described the legislation as “well-intentioned” but expressed concern that it would affect too broad a range of products and cause a “sizable and rapid shift” in the availability of affordable cooking items. He emphasised the need to carefully consider the consequences of such a dramatic change.
The bill, approved by the state legislature, would have banned the sale or distribution of goods with intentionally added PFAS by 2030, including cleaning products, cookware, floss, food packaging, and ski wax. PFAS are human-made compounds used for non-stick and water-resistant properties, linked to health issues such as high cholesterol, reproductive problems, and cancer.
High-profile chefs like Thomas Keller and Rachael Ray opposed the ban, arguing that responsibly manufactured non-stick cookware can be safe and effective. Ray suggested focusing on consumer education rather than eliminating products. State Senator Ben Allen, who introduced the legislation, expressed disappointment but vowed to continue working on the issue.
Newsom also vetoed other bills over the weekend, including one on racial justice that would have allowed universities to give admissions preference to descendants of enslaved people, while approving funding for a reparations study and signing a bill to allow family members to care for children of deported parents.
