Search
My Lists

EFSA's New Acceptable Daily Intake for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)

EFSA's New Acceptable Daily Intake for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)EFSA's New Acceptable Daily Intake for Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA)

September 9th, 2026

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reduced the safe level of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the diet based on new scientific evidence. TFA is an ultra-short-chain PFAS that is a breakdown product of some pesticides, and also commonly used in refrigerants and coolants. Potential health concerns include effects on liver function and reproductive and developmental toxicity.

Regulations and Testing for Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)

The EFSA recently lowered the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for TFA from 0.05 to 0.014 mg/kg body weight, reflecting increased concern about potential health risks.

Current analytical methods that test for TFA include:

  • ASTM D8628 — Test Method for Analytical Procedure for the Analysis of Ultrashort Chain Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Aqueous Samples by Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
  • USEPA Method 563 — Determination of Selected Ultrashort Organofluorine Compounds in Drinking Water by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry

What is Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)?

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is an ultrashort-chain PFAS known for its high mobility and environmental persistence. Like other PFAS, it is often referred to as a “forever chemical.”

Major sources of TFA include:

  • Fluorinated pesticides
  • Fluorinated gases (F-gases)
  • Breakdown of PFAS and other fluorinated compounds from industrial activities

TFA

CAS # 76-05-1
Trifluoroacetic acid

TFA Chemical StructureTFA Chemical Structure

Reference Standards for Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)

Reliable Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) are essential for accurate PFAS testing and quality control. AccuStandard’s PFAS CRMs are designed to help laboratories reliably test and monitor TFA and other PFAS, supporting efforts to track and reduce environmental contamination.

  1. PFOA-048S-R1
    Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)
    100 µg/mL in Methanol:Water (95:5)
    Single
  2. PFOA-048S-CN
    Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)
    100 µg/mL in Acetonitrile
    Single
  3. D-8628-MIX
    ASTM D8628 Ultra Short Chain PFAS Native Mixture
    100 µg/mL in Acetonitrile
    5 comps.
  4. NEW! M-563
    USEPA Method 563 Ultrashort-chain PFAS Reference Standard
    Varied Conc. in Methanol:Water (95:5)
    7 comps.
  5. NEW! UCMR6-M-563
    UCMR 6 - EPA 563 Reference Standard
    Varied conc. in Methanol:Water (95:5)
    7 comps.

Need Assistance with PFAS Standards?

You can shop AccuStandard's full selection of PFAS Standards.

If you still don’t see what you are looking for, reach out to techservice@accustandard.com and we can make a recommendation or create a custom product for you.

 
AccuStandard ©2026 All Rights Reserved.