Study identifies mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) exposure as high-risk factor for leiomyoma growth on epidemiological and mechanistic level; European biomonitoring of five reprotoxic phthalates demonstrates necessity to integrate mixture risk assessment into regulatory practice; targeted analysis shows migration of five phthalates from polypropylene food packaging
November 22, 2022
India updating ionomer resin standard
Bureau of Indian Standards publishes draft update to standard for ionomer resins in contact with foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and drinking water; accepting comments on the proposal until December 6, 2022
November 21, 2022
Value and struggles of the material production sector reducing emissions
Zero Waste Europe and Eunomia publish report on the ability of aluminum, concrete, steel, and plastics industries to meet global carbon budgets; current efforts and plans are unlikely to be sufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C; call for urgent actions to reduce material use
November 18, 2022
Study investigates quantity and risk of oligomers in PBT
Researchers analyze oligomer in extracts and migrates of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) food contact articles also comparing levels in food and food simulants; report human exposure to oligomers can exceed daily threshold in some scenarios; express the need for toxicological evaluation of PBT oligomers
November 17, 2022
Chemicals used to produce PET cause cells to store fat, say scientists
Study investigate correlation of starting substances to manufacture polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with obesity; report these para-phthalates to alter adipogenesis in vitro at nanomolar concentrations; consider ascertaining their safe levels a high priority
November 16, 2022
FCCmigex dashboard updated with more features
The Food Packaging Forum updates Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex) dashboard; free and interactive tool now includes filter for additional food contact materials like adhesives, coatings, and printing inks; full synchronization between data and reference pages
November 14, 2022
Model indicates 70% reduction of microplastics by 2050 possible
Material flow analysis on microplastics provides recommendations for reducing microplastics in the Netherlands; effective measures include extension of deposit schemes on returnable plastics, research in improved recycling technologies, and “R-strategies”
November 11, 2022
FitNESS 2.0 project expands open access food packaging training materials
EU-funded training platform on responsible food packaging contains three months’ worth of free course material for both current and future professionals; developed by consortium of European universities specializing in food packaging; developments underway to expand platform’s training topics, provide validated certificates of course completion
November 10, 2022
Corporate plastic commitments not expected to meet 2025 targets
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) reports progress, or lack thereof, on corporate packaging commitments set for 2025; plastic pact signatories increased portfolio of recycled, recyclable, or compostable products by 2% between 2019 and 2021; reuse decreased, and virgin plastic use increased; EMF calling for stronger governmental action and support of UN plastic pollution treaty
