European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) re-evaluation proposes to significantly lower the tolerable daily intake of bisphenol A (BPA) from 4 to 0.00004 micrograms per kilogram of bodyweight per day due to immune system effects; finds many consumers likely exposed beyond the new safe limit; feedback accepted on the draft opinion until February 22, 2022
December 17, 2021
FPF comments on EFSA’s phthalates prioritization strategy
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) finds that the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) planned approach lacks clear recommendation for removing known hazardous chemicals from food contact materials; prioritization of food contact chemicals of concern should be based on hazard properties in alignment with the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
December 17, 2021
Studies report on oligomer migration from food packaging
Scientists perform migration experiments for oligomer analysis; one study detects eight chemicals including six non-intentionally added oligomers to migrate from multilayer biodegradable teacups; second study reports on oligomer migration from polycarbonate tableware as ‘hidden source’ of bisphenol A (BPA)
December 16, 2021
ECHA committees support restricting C6 PFAS and related substances
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis adopt final opinions supporting Germany’s proposal to restrict the six-carbon chain (C6) undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts, and related substances; restriction on this per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) specifically targets its use in food contact materials
December 16, 2021
Updated version of Louisville Charter for Safer Chemicals released
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) announces the release of an updated version of the Louisville Charter for Safer Chemicals; new ten-part roadmap created to “transform the chemical industry” and “alleviate its disproportionate harm” on marginalized communities; calls for requiring safer substitutes, incentivizing companies to innovate
December 16, 2021
Organizations sue US FDA over failure to react on phthalates in FCMs
Earthjustice files case in a federal court on behalf of eight civil society organizations; calls on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to come to a final decision on a petition filed in 2016 within 60 days; petition argues safe use of phthalates can no longer be proven and calls for a ban in all food contact materials (FCMs)
December 15, 2021
ECHA assesses regulatory needs of phthalates as a group
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes assessment of regulatory needs for groups of chemicals including ortho-phthalates; concludes that all phthalates with C4-C6 carbon backbones and similar substances are likely reproductive toxicants and endocrine disruptors; suggests regulation as a group
December 15, 2021
German printing ink ordinance comes into force
Federal Council adopts 21st Amendment to Consumer Goods Ordinance regulating printing inks and varnishes that directly or indirectly contact food; includes updated positive list of monomers, additives, colorants, solvents, and photoinitiators; phase in period set until the end of December 2026
December 15, 2021
Campaign detects mineral oil hydrocarbons in European food products
Foodwatch publishes test results of 152 food products sampled across Europe; finds mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in 12% of them at levels up to 82 mg/kg food; petition calls for EU leaders to recall contaminated products and implement a zero-tolerance rule prohibiting any detectable level in all foods
December 14, 2021
Scientific studies evaluate microplastic effects on human cells
Rapid review assesses microplastics impacts on human cells and reports thresholds of effects lower than previously predicted; scientific study finds polystyrene (PS) microplastics to have nephrotoxic potential; reproduction and fertility study with mice reports PS microplastics to affect females more than males
