EurActiv reports that Commission president impeded endocrine disruptor criteria and other environmental legislation initiatives
Industry association complains to EU Commission about French BPA ban
PlasticsEurope concerned that French BPA regulation will disrupt the EU market
FPF comments on proposed amendments to EU regulations on food contact plastics
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) critiques the European Commission’s proposed amendments to regulations on food contact plastics; says suggested threshold for non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) lacks scientific evidence; supports enhanced specifications for migration testing
Carcinogenicity of ‘cocktails’ highlighted
Series of new studies finds mixtures of everyday non-carcinogenic chemicals to be of concern for causing cancer; individual chemicals present at low levels; opportunity for improvement of chemical risk assessment and primary prevention of cancer
Effects of phthalate and nonylphenol exposure on development of adolescents
New study associates phthalate exposure with abdominal obesity, as well as delayed onset of puberty in boys
Review finds hundreds of chemicals migrating from recycled and reusable plastic FCMs
Scientists detect 509 food contact chemicals in plastic food contact materials (FCMs) made for reuse; 853 chemicals identified in recycled PET; study points out key knowledge gaps in available hazard data for frequently detected chemicals
Report finds harmful chemicals widespread in packaged and processed foods
Report by Consumer Reports analyzed 85 different packaged foods for bisphenols and phthalates; detects BPA and phthalates in majority of products with wide ranging concentrations; authors emphasize difficulty of assessing “safe levels”
EU survey on citizen attitudes towards chemicals
Latest Eurobarometer survey finds citizens worried about impact of chemicals in products on environment (95%) and human health (85%); respondents believe society needs to change the way it consumes, produces, and trades; 80% think industry should do more to protect the environment
ECHA: New database on SVHCs in articles by 2021
ECHA to launch database on presence of substances of very high concern in articles by late 2019; information to be provided by industry and available to waste treatment operators and consumers
Opinion: FDA fails to ensure food safety
Scientific perspectives article discusses current gaps in assessment and regulation of chemicals in food by U.S. FDA, illustrates problems with perchlorate example, calls for immediate action to protect child health