Review summarizes plastic-associated bisphenol A (BPA) sources, exposure, and human health risks; dietary bisphenol exposure via packaged food consumption in Saudi Arabia is potential human health concern; review discusses bisphenols’ effects on the cardiovascular system and recommends human-relevant studies with bisphenols other than BPA; consensus scoring analysis identifies endocrine-disrupting food contact chemicals potentially interacting with nuclear receptors
April 21, 2022
Canada Plastics Pact develops packaging design rules
Canada Plastics Pact publishes nine golden design rules for plastic packaging manufacturers; include using a single material per package, avoiding polyvinyl chloride (PVC), reducing headspace , and switching to reuse systems; more than 30 Canadian companies have already signed onto 50% or more of the rules
April 21, 2022
New NIAS detected in polyester-phenolic can coating extracts
Scientists analyze non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) extracted from six model polyester-phenolic can coatings; identify cyclic polyester oligomers and new aldehydes
April 20, 2022
Court rules FDA perchlorate exemption allowed
US federal court sides with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the use of perchlorate in food packaging; FDA’s 2017 denial of a citizen petition to regulate perchlorate in plastic food packaging “was neither arbitrary nor capricious… and did not violate the Food Act”
April 19, 2022
US government calls for input to define ‘sustainable chemistry’
US Office of Science and Technology Policy requests information on the term “sustainable chemistry”; seeks to create definition to guide federal policies, initiatives, and funding; stakeholders can submit information until June 3, 2022
April 19, 2022
National parks in Thailand ban single use plastics
The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation bans styrofoam packaging and single-use plastics from all 155 national parks in the country; those caught with single-use food containers, cups, or utensils could face a fine up to 100,000 baht ($3,000 USD); Elephants and other animals reportedly eating plastics in national park north of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)
April 19, 2022
Projects launched to support GHS implementation in Africa
Kenya, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Rwanda implementing Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) in national policy; Sierra Leone and Malawi partner with the UN Environment Program (UNEP) to study chemical and waste management within the countries to design long term policies and projects
April 18, 2022
Restaurant review site now includes packaging as search filter
The restaurant review and search site Yelp now includes search filters for packaging; when searching for a restaurant, customers can filter for reusable tableware, plastic-free packaging, accepting of bring-your-own containers; restaurant owners can update the settings, customers can suggest changes to Yelp
April 15, 2022
Shipping company to ban export of plastic waste
Shipping company CMA GCM announces it will no longer accept plastic scrap on board its container ships starting April 15, 2022; being implemented six weeks earlier than originally announced during One Ocean Summit in February 2022; meant to reduce waste exports to where “recycling or recovery cannot be assured”
April 14, 2022
Spain passes comprehensive waste reduction regulation, eases the way for reuse
New Spanish waste law includes extensive waste reduction measures and targets across the entire supply chain; bans bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates in food packaging; mandates food providers offer tap water for free and accept reusable containers if customers bring them; 20% of floor space in large grocery stores must be for food without packaging; establishes extended producer responsibility scheme and bottle-to-bottle recycling program
