News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
September 7, 2026
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) calls for stakeholder inputs on draft list of around 700 substances of concern (SoCs) in packaging to inform EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comments and identifies 42 additional hazardous chemicals in packaging; emphasizes importance of treating SoCs list as living document to reflect new evidence in the future
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 4, 2026
Principality of Monaco restricts plastic containers for ready-to-eat foods effective September 1, 2026; part of larger strategy to reduce single-use plastic waste; applies to food sold for immediate consumption or with use-by date of three days or less; exemptions include lids and closure systems, containers for fresh, cut, and unprocessed fruit, containers with internal plastic coating serving as functional layer
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 3, 2026
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) drafts standards for plastic food contact materials (FCMs) intended for child use and for microwave use; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comments highlighting need for stronger chemical safety provisions; raises concerns on limited list of restricted chemicals, potential for regrettable substitutions, chemical safety issues of recycled plastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 1, 2026
All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Microplastics, UK, publishes 5-year report on state of microplastic pollution in the UK; authors call for precautionary approach and early implementation of coordinated actions to align with current evidence, need for policy leadership, and cost-effective management of microplastics and their adverse impacts
Topics: microplastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 1, 2026
Scientists from the Food Packaging Forum present practical grouping approach to address regulatory gaps in food contact chemicals; 87% of chemicals lack adequate safety data; study includes free tools to help stakeholders screen for and identify potentially hazardous chemicals
Topics: chemical safety, grouping
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 27, 2026
Centre for Science and Environment publishes report comparing plastic waste management costs with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) payments in India; finds significant financing gaps for flexible and multilayer plastic packaging, particularly in remote regions; criticizes 2024 changes to multilayer plastic classification under India's Plastic Waste Management Rules
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 25, 2026
Defend Our Health launches searchable directory of food contact materials’ chemical disclosures; database summarizes whether manufacturers disclose intentional PFAS use; builds on California transparency requirements
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 20, 2026
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces two food policy actions under Make America Healthy Again agenda; proposal would require companies to report GRAS conclusions; existing GRAS uses offered temporary streamlined reporting route; federal definition of ultra-processed foods submitted for final review
Reading time: 4 minutes
August 19, 2026
European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes report on economic viability of chemical recycling of plastics; concludes that chemical recycling does not achieve cost parity with virgin plastics; may still play a role in supplying markets with recycled plastics considering recycled content requirements of new EU regulations on packaging and single-use plastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 18, 2026
Swiss Federal Council adopts new Packaging Ordinance covering all packaging materials; introduces recycling targets and take-back requirements for plastic packaging and beverage cartons; ban on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) added after public consultation; government did not address key concerns shared by the Food Packaging Forum and Swiss civil society organizations during public comment period
Reading time: 4 minutes
