The EPA Just Approved More 'Forever Chemical' Pesticides on Your Food

In a single month, the EPA approved multiple pesticides containing PFAS -- so-called "forever chemicals" -- for use on food crops that end up on American dinner tables. The approvals in November 2025 stunned environmental groups and raised urgent questions about the safety of the nation's food supply.

Three PFAS Pesticides in One Month

The pace of approvals was remarkable. On November 5, 2025, the EPA approved cyclobutrifluram for agricultural use. Just two weeks later, on November 18, isocycloseram received the green light for use on food crops including oranges, tomatoes, almonds, peas, and oats. Meanwhile, a fifth PFAS pesticide called epyrifenacil was proposed for use on canola, corn, soybean, and wheat fields.

These chemicals belong to a new class of herbicides and insecticides designed to combat weeds and pests that have developed resistance to older chemicals like glyphosate. But their chemical structure has raised alarms among scientists and environmental advocates who classify them as PFAS compounds.

The Forever Chemical Problem

What makes these pesticides particularly concerning is what happens after they're applied. Isocycloseram is known to break down into more than 40 smaller PFAS chemicals, some of which are far more persistent in the environment than the original compound. Epyrifenacil degrades into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which researchers consider one of the most pervasive PFAS water contaminants on the planet.

PFAS chemicals are called "forever chemicals" because they resist natural degradation and can accumulate in soil, water, and human tissue over years. With 158 million Americans already at risk of drinking PFAS-contaminated water according to EPA data, adding new sources of these chemicals to agricultural fields compounds an existing crisis.

Health Risks That Cannot Be Ignored

The health effects associated with isocycloseram are alarming. EPA's own assessment identified reduced testicle size, lower sperm count, and liver toxicity as potential harms from exposure. Beyond human health, the pesticide is catastrophically toxic to pollinators. The EPA found that bees and other vital pollinators could be exposed to 1,500 times the lethal dose simply by collecting nectar and pollen near treated fields.

PFAS compounds as a class have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune system suppression, reduced fertility, liver damage, high cholesterol, and obesity. These are not theoretical risks -- they are documented in peer-reviewed research and have already driven billions of dollars in litigation against PFAS manufacturers.

EPA's Defense Versus the Science

The EPA has pushed back against the "forever chemical" characterization. In a formal fact-check issued in November 2025, the agency stated that single fluorinated compounds are "NOT forever chemicals" and pose no safety concerns when used according to label instructions. The EPA argues that these pesticides undergo rigorous safety evaluation before approval and that environmental groups are spreading misinformation.

Environmental organizations disagree sharply. The Center for Biological Diversity called the approvals "reckless" and noted that the EPA's own data shows these compounds break down into persistent PFAS chemicals in the environment. The Washington Post reported that the approvals represent a reversal of what had been a movement toward restricting PFAS in agriculture. Earthjustice has filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA's latest approval, arguing the agency failed to adequately assess the risks.

Which Crops Are Affected

If all proposed and approved uses go forward, PFAS pesticides could be applied to a wide range of American staple crops:

• Isocycloseram: oranges, tomatoes, almonds, peas, oats, plus golf courses and lawns
• Epyrifenacil (proposed): canola, corn, soybean, wheat
• Cyclobutrifluram: various agricultural applications

These crops represent a significant portion of the American diet, meaning consumer exposure could be widespread and difficult to avoid through conventional purchasing alone.

What Consumers Can Do

While regulatory battles play out, consumers have options to reduce their exposure. Choosing organic produce eliminates the risk from these specific pesticides, as PFAS-containing pesticides are not permitted under organic certification. Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly can reduce surface residues, though it cannot eliminate chemicals that have been absorbed into the plant.

Consumers can also advocate for change by contacting their elected representatives and supporting organizations challenging these approvals. The Earthjustice lawsuit and advocacy campaigns by groups like the Center for Biological Diversity represent ongoing efforts to reverse these decisions.

A Larger Pattern

These November 2025 approvals don't exist in isolation. They are part of a broader pattern in which the EPA has approved PFAS-containing pesticides while simultaneously proposing to loosen PFAS reporting requirements for businesses and reconsidering drinking water limits for several PFAS compounds. For the 158 million Americans already exposed to PFAS in their drinking water, adding these chemicals to food crops feels less like regulation and more like compounding the problem.

Sources

1. Center for Biological Diversity - "Trump EPA Approves Its Second 'Forever Chemical' Pesticide in Two Weeks" - November 20, 2025. https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-epa-approves-its-second-forever-chemical-pesticide-in-two-weeks-2025-11-20/
2. Civil Eats - "EPA Proposes Approving Fifth 'Forever Chemical' Pesticide" - November 5, 2025. https://civileats.com/2025/11/05/epa-proposes-approving-fifth-forever-chemical-pesticide/
3. Washington Post - "EPA moves to approve new 'forever chemical' pesticides" - November 22, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/11/22/forever-chemicals-pesticides/
4. EPA - "FACT CHECK: EPA Debunks False Claims that Agency Recently Approved 'Forever Chemical' Pesticides" - 2025. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/fact-check-epa-debunks-false-claims-agency-recently-approved-forever-chemical
5. Earthjustice - "Lawsuit Challenges Trump EPA's Latest Approval of 'Forever Chemical' Pesticide" - 2026. https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/lawsuit-challenges-trump-epas-latest-approval-of-forever-chemical-pesticide
6. TIME - "EPA Is Embracing PFAS Pesticides. These Are The Health Risks" - 2025. https://time.com/7336883/epa-pfas-pesticides-health-risks/