The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Certified Group’s new method of testing for polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) – popularly known as “forever chemicals” – in frozen clams.
The Melville, New York, U.S.A.-based laboratory testing company said it developed its validated method for the analysis of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in frozen clams with direct guidance from FDA. The testing has now been approved by the government, the company said.
"As Certified Laboratories, Certified Group's flagship specialty chemistry laboratory, celebrates its 100th anniversary, we are proud to carry forward a legacy of scientific innovation and commitment to food safety," Certified Group CEO David Morgan said in a release. "This FDA approval reflects the scientific expertise of our team and Certified Group's investment in specialized analytical capabilities that help customers verify product safety and maintain regulatory compliance."
In 2024, the FDA refused entry for some processed clams after high concentrations of PFAS were detected in samples. In 2022, an FDA targeted survey of 81 retail seafood samples – which consisted of clams, cod, crab, pollock, salmon, shrimp, tuna, and tilapia products – found that canned clams from China were “likely a health concern” due to estimated exposure to PFOA.
“Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of human-made chemicals used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products. PFAS do not easily break down, and some PFAS have been shown to accumulate in the environment and in our bodies. Exposure to some PFAS have been linked to serious health effects in humans and in laboratory animals,” the FDA said in an import alert revised August 2025. “The FDA has not set levels for most chemical contaminants in food, including PFAS. However, the FDA generally has taken the approach of assessing, on a case-by-case basis, whether the type and level of the contaminant found in the food may pose a health concern, such that the food is considered to be adulterated in that the levels may render the food injurious to health.”
Certified Group said its test addresses the challenge posed by that import alert, enabling companies to analyze their products for the presence of PFAS.
"This method was developed in direct response to Import Alert 99-48 and the difficulty importers have faced in finding an approved laboratory for PFAS testing," said Annie Hughes, the director and general manager for FDA Detention at Certified Group. "We are pleased to continue our longstanding support of the import industry by being among the only U.S. laboratories approved to perform this testing and by helping importers move forward with defensible data."
The company said its test can be used for other seafood as well, but the FDA specifically approved it for frozen clams.
"Scientific excellence means being ready to respond when new regulatory and customer needs emerge," Morgan said. "This achievement demonstrates our ability to solve complex analytical challenges quickly and responsibly while supporting the industries that rely on defensible data."
