How to Test Food Packaging for Total Organic Fluorine (TOF)

Total organic fluorine (TOF) testing helps identify the presence of fluorinated compounds — often linked to PFAS, or “forever chemicals” — in food packaging materials. SimpleLab’s certified Total Organic Fluorine in Food Packaging mail-to-lab test kit provides accurate, laboratory-based measurement of total fluorine, fluoride, and organic fluorine content in one (1) packaging sample.

How to Test for Total Organic Fluorine in Packaging

Testing for TOF involves professional laboratory methods. There are no at-home or field test kits available for TOF testing. Laboratory testing uses specialized equipment to measure fluoride ions, total fluorine, and total organic fluorine.

Each SimpleLab mail-to-lab test includes:

All necessary sampling materials
Prepaid 2-day return shipping
Easy-to-follow instructions
Certified laboratory analysis
Digital report with results
Full chain of custody documentation

Testing methodology at the laboratory includes the following broad chemical techniques to determine total fluorine levels in the sample provided:

Fluoride: Ion-Selective Electrode
Total Fluorine: Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode
Total Organic Fluorine: Total Organic Fluorine by Ion Selective Electrode/Calculation

Taken together, the methods shown above provide a reliable assessment of whether fluorinated compounds — such as those found in PFAS-treated materials — are present in the packaging.

Who Is This Test Right For?

SimpleLab’s Total Organic Fluorine test for food packaging is ideal for manufacturers, quality assurance professionals, and any individual interested in understanding whether fluorinated chemicals may be present in packaging materials.

Common use cases include:

Food producers verifying packaging safety
Sustainability teams assessing PFAS-free claims
Regulatory compliance testing
Concerned consumers or researchers testing specific packaging items

Total Organic Fluorine in Food Packaging Test

Analytes tested: 3

$364.00

Frequently Asked Questions

What does total organic fluorine indicate?

TOF represents the total amount of fluorine bound to organic molecules, which includes PFAS. The TOF chemical assay is favored as a broad yet sensitive screening method for any PFAS-like compounds present in packaging materials.

Is this the same as testing for individual PFAS compounds?

No. TOF testing measures the total fluorine content from organic sources, giving an overall indicator of fluorinated compounds rather than identifying specific PFAS.

Can I use a DIY kit or strip test for fluorine?

No. Fluorine and PFAS-related compounds require specialized laboratory methods for accurate quantification. Home or strip tests cannot provide reliable results.

How long does testing take?

Once your sample reaches the lab, results are typically available within 10 business days.

Need Help? Contact Us

SimpleLab makes lab testing easy, accurate, and accessible. Our customer support team is available to help via phone, chat, or email.

If you have any questions about testing with SimpleLab, reach out any time!

The SimpleLab Standard

Proven Reliability: SimpleLab partners with North America's leading analytical institutions—including Eurofins, Pace Analytical, SGS, and Microbac—each with their own rigorous quality control protocols to ensure top-tier accuracy. Our certified labs are located across all 50 states, making logistics a breeze.
Simplified Sampling: Every kit includes professional-grade materials, clear instructions, automated chain of custody, and free return shipping— making accurate testing effortless.
Seamless Experience: We combine human support with automated logistics to help make complex lab analyses accessible to all. From our user interface to our lab reports, we ensure a time-saving, frustration-free process.