Weight-of-evidence evaluation and systematic review methods are promoted in most chemical risk assessment frameworks in the EU, but clear guidance is lacking; scientists suggest joint guidance development by EU agencies dealing with chemicals
Fluorinated chemicals in cake packaging
Danish consumer council finds elevated levels of fluorinated substances in 3 out of 21 paper and board packagings of ready-made cakes; test results indicate decreased intentional use of fluorinated chemicals in baking paper since 2016
SIN List update includes 20 food contact chemicals
ChemSec announces major update to Substitute It Now (SIN) List, adds 47 new chemicals including including persistent, mobile, and toxic substances, carbon nanotubes; announcement event brings together stakeholders to discuss clean circular economy
Alternative plasticizers adipogenic in vitro
Several alternative plasticizers used in FCMs shown to promote lipid accumulation in vitro; direct activation of PPARγ suggested as possible mechanism
FDA denies action on perchlorates in antistatics
U.S. FDA supports industry petition and revokes use of potassium perchlorate in sealing gaskets for food containers; denies action on NGO petition to revoke perchlorate use in antistatic agents in food contact articles
Microplastics measured in newborn, infant, and adult feces
Small study assesses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) microplastics in human feces; finds PET and PC in all infant stool and in most meconium and adult stool samples; suggests higher exposure of infants than adults
Video of FPF Webinar on food packaging in the circular economy
Food Packaging Forum held webinar on its new study on the chemical safety of food packaging materials in the circular economy, June 26, 2018; video recording and presentation slides now available
Food Packaging and Recycling
Fact sheets Food Packaging Materials and recycling Learn about six food packaging material types including their applications, material properties, chemical safety, and end-of-life options; understand how recyclability and chemical safety of food packaging are interconnected Fact sheets Fact Sheet on Bioplastic The Food Packaging Forum has published a fact sheet addressing common questions and mix-ups around bioplastics. It clarifies the meaning of the terms “bio-based” and “biodegradable” when talking about bioplastics and further discusses aspects of chemical safety, environmental impacts associated […]
Outcome of public consultation within EU EDC fitness check
European Commission publishes results of public consultation within fitness check of EU legislation on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); finds that majority of respondents believe EU laws do not protect them from exposure to EDCs, that EDCs have been insufficiently identified across sectors
Food packaging in the circular economy
New FPF scientific publication summarizes safety aspects of commonly used food packaging types after recycling, shows typical chemical contaminants, discusses further measures for safe food packaging in the circular economy