Study analyzes non-volatile compounds migrating from nine different printed and non-printed paper straws into soda; identifies 19 chemicals in concentrations up to 3.6 mg/kg soda; chemicals include suspected carcinogen and endocrine disruptors; findings suggest paper straws are not a safer alternative to plastic straws
July 6, 2023
Canada’s recyclable paper exports to India contaminated with plastics, investigation finds
CBC reports about Canada’s paper exports; finds plastic contamination present poses environmental and social challenges to India; recycling infrastructure unable to keep up
May 8, 2023
Nepal’s street food packaging becoming healthier
Department of Food Technology and Quality Control in Nepal announces that newsprint will soon be banned as street food packaging to limit harmful chemicals in food
September 15, 2022
How to increase the recyclability of paper packaging
Confederation of Paper Industries, publishes guide for packaging designers to increase recyclability of paper products; to improve recycling quality, suggests limiting laminates, coatings, inks, varnishes, and adhesives to no more than 10% of pack weight, aspirational goal of 5%; standard paper mills cannot process much laminate, e.g. coffee cups, cold cups, beverage cartons
June 29, 2022
Forecasting food packaging in 2040
UPM Specialty Papers and Smithers survey over 200 packaging professionals to make predictions on the food packaging market in 2040; respondents believe that by 2040 packaging sustainability will be dictated by government mandates and consumers will no longer accept tradeoffs between sustainability and convenience
February 18, 2022
PFAS alternatives have incomplete hazard profiles, says OECD
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports replacements for long-chain PFAS in paper and board food packaging have little or no available hazard information; examines 58 long-chain PFAS replacements: 10 have been formally reviewed by governmental authorities, 26 by industry, 18 have no hazard assessments; Environmental Health News reports US states to consider over 200 PFAS bills in 2022
May 31, 2021
EDQM guide on European paper and board FCM regulations
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare (EDQM) publishes “technical guidance relating to the requirements, compliance testing and supporting documentation for paper and board materials” used in food contact materials and articles; includes overview of European FCM regulations, aims to harmonize paper and board regulation; provides instructions to test compliance, detect recycled materials, prepare supporting documentation
May 5, 2021
Study: migration into dry foods higher than US FDA assumption
Comprehensive literature review in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants investigates substance migration into dry foods and food simulants; review analyses: foods off store shelves, foods and food simulants in experimental settings, food particle characteristics, and packaging material; finds migration commonly exceeds 50 µg/kg assumed migration rate of dry foods according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
January 28, 2020
Survey quantifies consumer perceptions by packaging types
2019 EcoFocus Trends Survey finds consumers perceive glass and paper-based packaging as most healthy and eco-friendly, 64% of millennials willing to pay for eco-friendly products
