PFAS in Soda and Soft Drinks: What's Really in the Can
Can soda contain PFAS? Most forever chemicals in drinks come from the water used to make them. Here's what the research shows and how to make cleaner fizz at home.
PFAS in Soda and Soft Drinks: What’s Really in the Can
My kids would live on fizzy drinks if I let them. So when I started reading about PFAS in beverages, soda was one of the first things I wanted answers on. Is it the can? The syrup? Something in the factory?
It turns out the biggest factor is a lot less exotic: the water.
Why water is the main PFAS source in soda
Soda is mostly water, often 85 to 90% of what’s in the can. Bottlers usually start with local municipal water and treat it further, but standard treatment wasn’t designed with PFAS in mind.
We don’t have a big U.S. study on PFAS in soda specifically yet, but a 2025 study on beer gives us a strong clue. Researchers at RTI International tested 23 beers and found PFAS in almost every one. The levels lined up closely with the PFAS in the local drinking water used to brew them, and beers from North Carolina’s Cape Fear River basin, a known contamination hotspot, had the highest readings (Environmental Science & Technology, 2025).
Soda is made the same basic way, so it’s reasonable to expect the same pattern. Where a bottling plant gets its water, and how well it filters that water, matters more than the brand name on the label.
Sparkling water has been tested more directly. When Consumer Reports tested bottled waters in 2020, several carbonated brands had measurable PFAS, and Topo Chico came in highest at 9.76 ppt before the company upgraded its filtration. We cover the brand results in detail in our post on PFAS in sparkling water.
What about the cans themselves?
This is the question I get most. Aluminum cans have a thin plastic lining so the drink never touches the metal. Those linings are typically epoxy or acrylic coatings, which have their own baggage (BPA used to be the big one), but they aren’t usually PFAS-based.
PFAS show up more often in grease-resistant food packaging, like fast food wrappers and some paper cups. So that fountain soda in a coated paper cup could pick up exposure from the cup as well as the water. Our guide to PFAS in canned food linings goes deeper on what’s in can coatings.
Simple ways to cut back
I’m not here to tell you to never drink a soda again. These are the changes that made the biggest difference in our house:
Make your own fizzy water. This was our biggest win. We filter our tap water, then carbonate it at home. You control the water and skip the cans and plastic bottles. The SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker is the one we use. Add a splash of real fruit juice and the kids don’t miss soda nearly as much as I expected.
Start with filtered water. Home carbonation only helps if the water going in is clean. A pitcher certified for PFAS, like the Clearly Filtered 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher, is an easy place to start. For more options, see our water filter roundup.
Skip coated paper cups. At restaurants, bring your own stainless bottle or choose glass when you can. Our guide to PFAS-free water bottles has a few we like.
Treat soda as a sometimes drink. Fewer cans means less exposure from every source, PFAS included. Your dentist will thank you too.
Want to know what’s in your own tap before you start carbonating it? Our drinking water testing guide walks through the options. You can also search the PFAS Free Life Database for more products we’ve checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does soda contain PFAS?
Soda can contain PFAS, mostly from the water used to make it. Research on beer published in 2025 found PFAS levels closely matched the local drinking water used in production. Since soda is mostly water, the same pattern likely applies. Levels vary by bottling location and how well the plant filters its water.
Do aluminum soda cans have PFAS in the lining?
Aluminum can linings are usually epoxy or acrylic coatings, not PFAS-based. PFAS are more common in grease-resistant paper packaging, such as some fast food wrappers and coated paper cups. The water inside the can is a bigger concern than the can itself.
What is the safest fizzy drink option for kids?
Homemade sparkling water made from filtered tap water gives you the most control. Filter your water with a pitcher or under-sink system certified for PFAS reduction, carbonate it at home, and add a splash of real juice for flavor. Store it in glass or stainless steel bottles.
| *Research reference: Environmental Science & Technology 2025 | PFAS Central on Consumer Reports testing* |