On May 5, 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opened another round of data collection on phthalates and structurally similar substances used as plasticizers in food contact materials (FCMs). A previous input round ran from June to November 2022 (FPF reported). The initiative is part of a European Commission mandate that requires EFSA to re-evaluate these substances and assess the migration data in the context of dietary exposure.
National food authorities, research institutions, academia, food business operators, and other stakeholders are invited to submit data on the migration, occurrence, and/or quantities of plasticizers, such as phthalates, terephthalates, citrates, and benzoates, in FCMs. EFSA aims to gather results generated from experimental studies on FCMs before their actual use, including migration test using food simulants.
The list of substances identified as potential plasticizers and considered within this call for data is provided. Stakeholders interested in submitting data are requested to contact EFSA, preferably by June 30th, 2023. The deadline for submission is August 31st, 2023.
Reference
EFSA (May 5, 2023). “Call for collection of data on phthalates, structurally similar substances and replacement substances migrating from or occurring in food contact materials (Plasticisers_FCM_2023).”
As part of an experiment with newly available tools, this article was written with assistance from ChatGPT. Upon generating draft language, the author reviewed, edited, added to, and revised the language to suit the style and form of the Food Packaging Forum.
