Latest News

PlastChem report synthesizes current science on plastic chemicals

Report maps scientific data on more than 16,000 plastic chemicals; finds gaps in current governance and knowledge that prevent effective management; recommends policy actions based on current state-of-the-science

Impacts of plastics across the food system

Policy brief from Scientists’ Coalition discusses how plastics in the food system from farm to table to trash impact human health and the environment; provides suggestions for how UN Plastics Treaty can address the drivers and impacts of food system plastics use

Provisional agreement reached on EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

European Parliament and Council conclude negotiations on packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); bans all PFAS in food packaging; targets at least 10% reusable beverage packaging by 2030; requires deposit return system for plastic and metal beverage containers; packaging reduction targets set to start in 2030

European Parliament votes to strengthen plastic waste shipping regulations

By a vote of 587 to 8, Members of the European Parliament voted to prohibit the exporting of plastic waste from the EU to non-OECD countries, strengthen regulations on shipments to OECD countries, and increase transparency between EU Member States

JRC publishes case studies on single-use versus reusable packaging

European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies covering five single-use versus reusable packaging scenarios; incorporates 16 impacts; paper production practices and consumer behavior play significant role in final, single impact score; reuse tended to perform better in most scenarios, significantly so when comparing reusable glass bottles versus single-use glass

New report discusses state-of-knowledge about effects from endocrine disruptors

Joint publication from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and The Endocrine Society establishes state of endocrine (i.e., hormone) disruption research; reviews knowledge of human health effects from EDC exposure in pesticides, plastics, PFAS, and children’s products; calls for chemical regulations based on modern understanding of how hormones act and how EDCs can affect these actions

Linking chemical exposures to birth outcomes: Insights from the ECHO Program

Two studies use Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program in the US to investigate chemical exposures and birth outcomes; several phthalates associated with decreased gestational age, increased risk of preterm birth; ~56,595 preventable preterm births and $3.84 billion healthcare costs in US annually

Unexpected SVHC phthalate metabolite found in humans, including children

German biomonitoring study finds mono-n-hexyl phthalate in majority of samples, indicating widespread exposure to substance of very high concern (SVHC) di-n-hexyl phthalate or related compounds; sources of exposure currently under investigation; contribution of food contact materials to human exposure possible, but only limited data available

Food Packaging & Health

Regrettable substitution & the precautionary principle

When chemicals are assessed and regulated individually, the ones found…

Plastic recycling

Plastic recycling processes, regulations, market data and safety issues addressed

Bioassays

Rapid and cost-effective non-animal-based in vitro bioassays can be used…

Circular economy

A circular economy seeks to maintain the value of products…

Microplastics

Microplastics are an invisible form of plastic pollution; effects on…

Migration modeling

Mathematical modeling of chemical migration from food packaging into food…

Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS)

NIAS occur in all types of food contact materials, are…

Mineral oil hydrocarbons

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs) are commonly measured in food and…

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events including conferences, workshops, meetings, and trainings related to food packaging and health. See all

Dossiers

FPF dossiers are thoroughly researched by trained scientists. They provide in-depth background information about different topics pertinent to food contact materials and health. The dossiers compile scientific knowledge, market data and regulatory background in an easily accessible format. Dossiers include available data on chemical migration into food and effects on human health.

The Food Packaging Forum Foundation

The Food Packaging Forum Foundation (FPF) is a science communication organization. It is a charitable foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland. FPF provides independent and balanced information on issues related to chemicals in food packaging and other food contact articles, and their impact on health. FPF’s work addresses professional stakeholders, including business decision makers, regulators, scientists, media and communication experts. FPF is not a grantmaking foundation.

Fact sheet

Food packaging and human health

Food packaging is highly essential for protecting and handling food from farm to fork. However, packaging and other types of food contact articles are also a source of chemical contamination of food. The Food Packaging Forum’s fact sheet explains the most important aspects and provides resources for reducing chemical exposures.

Newsletter

Stay up to date with the Food Packaging Forum’s newsletter, free to your inbox once per month. Read about the latest news from regulatory authorities, scientific research, industry and consumer groups.