Analytical approaches for screening of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances in food items: A review of recent advances and improvements

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals characterized by their ubiquitous nature in all environmental compartments which makes them of increasing concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT). Several instrumental methodologies and separation techniques have been identified in the literature for the detection and quantification of PFAS in environmental samples. In this review, we have identified and compared common separation techniques adopted for the extraction of PFAS in food items, and analytical methodologies for identification and quantification of PFAS in food items of plant and animal origin, highlighting recent advances in tandem techniques for the high selectivity and separation of PFAS related compounds as well as knowledge gaps and research needs on current analytical methodologies. [Display omitted] •Alkaline extraction is commonly used for the extraction of PFAS in food items.•SPE offers fast and less labor-intensive approach for PFAS extraction in food items.•MIPs are promising technology for selective and sensitive extraction of PFAS.•HRMS offers high selectivity and resolving power for targeted PFAS in food.•NTA can be a complementary technique to PFAS targeted analysis in complex matrices.