New study finds microplastic particles in popular bottled water brands, detects on average 10 larger-sized microplastic particles and over 300 smaller-sized, likely also plastic particles per liter; WHO to launch review of health risks
Reducing chemicals of concern in food packaging
Environmental Defense Fund encourages industry to follow best practice recommendations by Food Safety Alliance for Packaging regarding chemicals in food packaging
EFSA: Guidelines on public consultations
EFSA publishes guidelines it follows when consulting on its scientific outputs
ECHA consults on identification of 8 SVHCs
ECHA opens public consultation on proposals to identify 8 substances of very high concern; deadline for comments April 23, 2018; 5 substances relevant for food contact
ANSES to study EDCs and bisphenols
ANSES selects 36 new research projects to be conducted under French national “Environment-Health-Work” research program; includes studies on endocrine disruptors, bisphenols, micro- and nanoplastics
Opinion: Don’t undervalue plastics
UK MEP cautious about drastic measures to eliminate plastics use, highlights benefits of plastic packaging to ensure food safety and reduce food waste, calls for increased recycling and innovation to tackle plastic waste
Flame retardants in plastic waste
Study commissioned by Norwegian Environment Agency analyzes brominated flame retardants in post-consumer plastics intended for recycling, finds low levels of commercial decaBDE, HBCD, BDE-209, TBBPA, DBDPE
Discussing future management of chemicals and waste
Swedish Chemicals Agency and UN Environment Programme host international conference on new strategy for chemicals and waste beyond 2020, March 13-15, 2018 in Solna, Sweden
EFSA Nano Network report 2017
EFSA’s Network for Risk Assessment of Nanotechnologies in Food and Feed contributes to draft nano-guidance; annual report now available online