Does Berkey remove PFAS?
Last reviewed July 2026.
No. Certified — but not for PFOA/PFOS. Berkey's certification is real, but no certifier's claim set for the models we track lists PFOA or PFOS reduction — not under NSF/ANSI 53, and not under NSF/ANSI 401, which on the listings we read covers pharmaceuticals and other emerging compounds instead. Whatever the retail listing implies, there is no certified PFAS reduction here.
Model by model
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| Model | Standards | PFOA/PFOS | Claim certified by | $ / certified gal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Berkey / Royal Berkey / Travel Berkey (Phoenix element) Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Amazon ↗ | 42 | ✗ | — | — |
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition: NSF lists the Phoenix element under NSF/ANSI 42 only: no PFOA or PFOS claim. Source: NSF listing, New Millennium Concepts (Berkey), read 2026-10-02.
Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition: Listed under New Millennium Concepts Ltd to NSF/ANSI 42 ONLY — chlorine reduction and taste/odor. There is no NSF/ANSI 53 listing, so there is no certified lead or health claim. The widely-sold Black Berkey element is not listed at all; the certification attaches to the newer Phoenix element.
What does have a certified PFOA/PFOS claim
Ranked by cost per certified gallon — the only fair way to compare a $20 pitcher filter with a $50 fridge cartridge. Every one below holds a certified PFOA/PFOS claim with an accredited certifier, and the listing is public.
| Filter | Type | Claim certified by | $ / certified gallon |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLUS Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement Filter PUR PPF951K1 buy ↗ | pitcher | IAPMO R&T, NSF/ANSI 53-2024 | $0.375 |
| 5-Stage Replacement Filter (2-pack) ZeroWater ZR-002 buy ↗ | pitcher | IAPMO R&T, NSF/ANSI 53 | $1.233 |
How to check this yourself
Nothing here needs to be taken on trust. Berkey's certifications are held by NSF, and each keeps a public database you can search by brand or model number. Look up the model printed on the filter — not the box, not the retail listing — and read which standards the entry lists. A model certified to 42 only will say exactly that.
Direct listings: Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition
If a figure on this page disagrees with the certifier's listing, the listing wins. Tell us and we will correct it.
What "removes PFAS" actually covers
The certified claim is PFOA/PFOS reduction — the two legacy compounds the standards test for — or, on newer NSF/ANSI 53 listings, a total PFAS claim tested on a set mixture of seven compounds that includes PFOA and PFOS. Neither is "all PFAS", a family of thousands of chemicals. A certified filter is still the strongest verifiable option a pitcher or fridge filter can offer; just read the claim as written. Standards background: 42 vs 53 vs 401.
Related: Is Berkey NSF certified? · Does Berkey remove lead?
We do not test filters — we index what accredited certifiers publish, with attribution, and make no health or treatment claims. A certification covers a specific model against a specific standard; it is not a general seal of quality. We are not affiliated with NSF International.
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