The Chinese National Health Commission published two draft proposals for food contact material (FCM) safety standards; focus on general safety standards and silicone rubber FCMs; public consultation open until December 15
October 31, 2023
Why is the global plastics treaty necessary?
Minderoo Foundation scientists publish commentary; to be successful the treaty needs to include a global plastic production cap, limits on single-use plastic production, extended producer responsibility scheme, ban on plastic combustion, and disclosure of all plastic chemicals
October 27, 2023
FPF comments on FCCs under review for REACH Candidate List
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is reviewing five food contact chemicals (FCCs) for possible inclusion on the REACH Candidate List of SVHCs; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) shares information on where the FCCs have been measured in food contact; two are on the EU positive list for chemicals in plastic food contact materials; FCCs under consideration for SVHC status and allowed in FCMs highlights need to create stronger connection between FCM regulation and REACH
October 17, 2023
Minderoo Foundation systematically maps human health effects from plastic-associated chemicals
Interactive and openly available, the Plastic Health Map summarizes human health outcomes of certain plastic-associated chemicals and particles as published by peer-review articles between 1960 and 2021; includes more than 3500 studies for 1557 chemicals; identifies gaps, including only 30% of chemicals have been investigated for health impacts, few studies in low-income countries
October 12, 2023
Stakeholder task force releases guidelines for compostable products legislation
US Composting Council, Biodegradable Products Institute, industry, and civil society organizations collaborate on publishing principles to guide policymakers; suggest requirement for third-party certification of compostability claims; present clear rules for labeling and product design
September 14, 2023
Synergistic interaction in real-life mixtures might not be so rare, scientist finds
“How frequent is rare?” researcher asks, emphasizes that based on current knowledge it is “premature” to neglect chemical synergism in real-life mixtures due to being “rare” and limit focus to additive behavior of chemicals; calls for further research and considering synergism in debates on mixtures risk assessment
August 25, 2023
Australian government to start regulating packaging
Australian environment ministers agree to “address the use of harmful chemicals in food packaging,” create packaging design standards and targets, harmonize curbside recycling programs; details forthcoming
August 21, 2023
Scientists recommend policy actions to reduce EDC health impacts
Review describes how cost and disease burden of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can be reduced by policy actions informed by science; recommended solutions include updating testing to account for mixture, cumulative exposure, effects occurring later life; second review summarizes studies linking EDC exposure with immunological and metabolic impacts during pregnancy
August 10, 2023
16th amendment to EU Regulation 10/2011 on plastic FCMs now in force
EU amends plastic FCM regulation; adjusts specific migration limits for five phthalates; removes authorized use of two FCMs; adds five new authorized substances; came into force on August 1, 2023
July 24, 2023
FPF comments on EU’s broad PFAS restriction proposal
The Food Packaging Forum (FPF) provides the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) scientific information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials (FCMs) ahead of Risk Assessment Committee meeting; emphasizes concerns about PFAS’ persistence as a multiplier of toxicity; provides data on PFAS detected in and migrating from FCMs
