Mexico to update lead limits in pottery

Current migration limit of 0.5 mg/L in glazed pottery criticized as not protective for workers; government announces new standard will be released in 2020, no further details provided

Malaysia sets metal migration limits for ceramics

Notification to World Trade Organization (WTO) expands regulations to cover ceramic cooking ware, sets migration limits of 0.5 mg/L for lead and 0.05 mg/L for cadmium

Israel enforces lead and cadmium limits

Notification sent to World Trade Organization informs of imposing mandatory limits for lead and cadmium in glass or porcelain enameled metalware food contact materials

EU committee rejects increasing lead limits in recycled PVC

Environment Committee of EU Parliament rejects EU Commission’s proposal to allow up to 2% lead by weight in recycled polyvinylchloride (PVC); see increased levels as unsafe and unnecessary given available PVC alternatives, argue recycling should not justify continued use of hazardous substances

Colombia regulates heavy metals in glass, ceramics

Colombian health ministry publishes emergency technical regulation setting migration limits for lead and cadmium in food contact glass and ceramics; new limits effective until July 2020

California adjusts metal limits in recycled glass

State legislative bodies pass bill raising combined limit of four heavy metals in recycled glass packaging from 100 to 200 ppm temporarily; State’s governor vetoes bill, permitted levels set to remain at 100 ppm

Lead and arsenic in food contact paper

Low migration of lead and arsenic measured in food contact paper bought in Korea; resulting human exposure estimated to be within safe levels

Cadmium in decorated glassware

Review of cadmium pigments in consumer products; food-contact relevant sources include small quantities in recycled plastics, high use in ceramic products, main exposure risk from decorative paint used on drinkware

Metals in paints on chopsticks

Scientists investigate metals in paints on chopsticks; total concentrations variable with some high values reported, resulting in ‘unacceptable’ health risks for exposure due to incidental paint ingestion or metal migration into food

Unwanted chemicals in drinking bottles

Norwegian Consumer Council finds phthalates, bisphenols, brominated flame retardants, chlorinated paraffins leaching from reusable plastic drinking bottles into water