US state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) holds virtual workshop to collect input from stakeholders on use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plant fiber-based food packaging; suggests it could decide to limit scope of products considered in upcoming policy, draws criticism from advocacy groups
September 4, 2020
EEB PFAS webinar series and overview report
European Environmental Bureau (EEB) hosts series of four webinars in September 2020 featuring presentations from academic experts on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; publishes overview report prioritizing fluorotelomer substances, their side-chain fluorinated polymers, fluorinated (poly)ethers
September 3, 2020
Webinar on PFAS testing methods for food packaging
Multi-stakeholder initiative ‘Charting the Path’ investigates current testing methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food service ware and food packaging; discusses recommendations for food service ware, fluorinated chemical standards, and San Francisco ordinance
September 2, 2020
ACC challenges listing DINP under Proposition 65
American Chemistry Council (ACC) submits petition to California’s supreme court challenging listing of diisononyl phthalate (DINP); highest court has at least 60 days to decide on petition and make final ruling
September 1, 2020
EEB analysis critical of ECHA microplastics restriction
European Environmental Bureau (EEB) disapproves of updates the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) made to its restriction proposal for microplastics in consumer and professional products; criticizes increase in microplastic size limit to 100 nm; ECHA defends changes, argues that regulation must be enforceable, cites lacking analytical techniques
September 1, 2020
China approves new FCMs, additives, resins
National Health Commission announces newly approved additives for food contact materials (FCMs), expanded FCM uses, and resins for use in plastics and coatings
August 31, 2020
Updated draft of German mineral oil ordinance
German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture proposes requiring use of a functional barrier in food contact materials containing recycled paper; exemptions can be granted by demonstrating migration below 0.5 mg MOAH/kg food or 0.15 mg MOAH/kg food simulant; comments accepted until November 18, 2020
August 28, 2020
Salinity of fatty food could influence migration
JRC scientists investigate influence of salinity level of food simulants on migration; argue that not only fatty content but also salinity of food needs to be considered when choosing migration testing conditions for polar migrants
August 27, 2020
Safety of dishes made of wheat pulp or wood
Scientists analyze volatile compounds migrating from single-use dishes made of wheat pulp or wood; products considered safe for food contact use with respect to volatiles’ migration; migration of non-volatile substances and safety of high-temperature applications requires further study
August 27, 2020
Migration from bamboo-containing plastic FCMs
Scientists detect dozens of volatile and non-volatile substances migrating from ‘bamboo’ food packaging; melamine migration exceeding specific migration limit; conclude bamboo-melamine articles ‘a risk to consumer’s health,’ their promotion as biodegradable ‘a fraud to consumers’