QuEChERS-Based LC-MS/MS and HRMS Methods for PFAS Determination in Food: A Systematic Review

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent contaminants that require very
strict performance criteria from the methods that want to analyze them in food for research
or regulatory purposes. This systematic literature review tried to evaluate Quick, Easy,
Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe (QuEChERS) extraction methodologies coupled with liquid
chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-resolution mass spec-
trometry (HRMS) for PFAS determination in food. Peer-reviewed articles (2010–2025) were
eligible if they analyzed PFAS in food matrices using QuEChERS extraction protocols with
LC-MS/MS or HRMS and reported performance and/or validation data. Scopus, WoS and
Google Scholar were searched up to 18 December 2025. Due to heterogeneity in matrices,
PFAS panels and reported validation metrics, no meta-analysis was performed, and the
results were synthesized narratively. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Most
methods used acidified acetonitrile (ACN)-based QuEChERS workflows and achieved
limits of quantification (LOQ) reported to be compatible with EU Regulation 2023/915
and Commission Implementing Regulation 2022/1428. Analytical scope expanded from
9 to 15 legacy PFAS to >40 analytes. Short-chain PFAS analyses in vegetable matrices
and methods from developing countries are underrepresented. QuEChERS-based LC-
MS/MS and HRMS methods support regulatory PFAS monitoring and PFAS research. The
main limitation of this review is the heterogeneity of included studies and the absence of
formal meta-analysis.