MD SB 0273 (2023)
Maryland's SB 0273, effective January 1, 2024, bans PFAS in plant fiber-based food packaging and food service gloves. Maryland is one of only a handful of states that explicitly includes gloves in its PFAS food packaging law, recognizing that the same PFAS-based coatings used to make food containers grease-resistant are also applied to disposable gloves used in food preparation. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) enforces the ban with civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.
The inclusion of food service gloves is particularly relevant for restaurants, food trucks, and catering operations where disposable gloves are used throughout the day. While most food businesses focus their PFAS compliance efforts on takeout containers and packaging, Maryland law requires equal attention to the gloves worn by kitchen staff, prep workers, and food handlers. This expanded scope catches many businesses off guard, especially national chains that may comply with packaging-only bans in other states but overlook the glove requirement in Maryland.
Maryland also provides a sell-through provision for packaging manufactured before the effective date, giving businesses time to deplete existing inventory rather than requiring immediate disposal. However, this exemption is time-limited, and businesses should not rely on it as a long-term strategy. For the Baltimore-Washington metro area's dense concentration of food service operations, proactive compliance with both the packaging and glove requirements is essential.
MD SB 0273 (2023)
Plant-fiber based packaging only
Prohibits PFAS in food packaging made from plant fibers AND in food service gloves. One of the few states explicitly covering gloves alongside packaging.
Civil: up to $10,000 per violation
Up to $10,000 per violation. Enforced by MDE.
Exemptions
Maryland's PFAS ban primarily targets manufacturer and distributor in the supply chain. While food service operators are not directly liable, you should request PFAS-free documentation from your packaging suppliers to avoid supply chain disruptions.
Verify Gloves Are PFAS-Free
Maryland explicitly covers food service gloves alongside packaging. Contact your glove supplier to confirm their products do not contain PFAS-based coatings or treatments — this requirement is unique to states like Maryland.
Audit Plant Fiber Packaging Separately
In addition to gloves, review all plant fiber food packaging: molded fiber containers, paper bags, pizza boxes, and paper wraps. Non-plant-fiber packaging (plastic, foil) is exempt from the packaging portion of the law.
Check Inventory for Pre-Ban Stock
Maryland's sell-through provision allows use of packaging manufactured before the effective date. Identify any remaining pre-ban inventory and plan to exhaust it, then transition to verified PFAS-free products.
File Documentation with MDE Standards
Keep supplier compliance letters and product specifications organized for potential MDE review. Documentation should cover both packaging and glove suppliers, with explicit PFAS-free statements referencing SB 0273.
Use our free compliance checker to verify your food packaging meets Maryland's PFAS regulations.
Run Free Compliance CheckLegal Disclaimer
This page provides general information about Maryland's PFAS food packaging regulations and is not legal advice. Regulations may change; always verify current requirements with the relevant regulatory authority. PFAS Packaging Check is an information tool — consult qualified legal counsel for advice specific to your situation.