Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said Friday the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will start a rule-making process that takes aim at polystyrene products --- such as Styrofoam cups, plates and to-go boxes.

Fried, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2022, wants to phase out the use of polystyrene products at grocery stores, convenience stores and other businesses her department regulates.

The plan would be a multi-year effort, with the first step gathering data to determine how much polystyrene is being used in the state.

“Chemicals in polystyrene are not only linked to human and animal health concerns, but because these petroleum-based products take at least 500 years to decompose, their negative effects continue long after they’re thrown away,” Fried, who announced the plan in Sarasota, said in a prepared statement.

Fried said she would like to “reach zero” use of polystyrene within this decade.