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
Nanoparticles may affect gut function
New study finds zinc nanoparticles used in food can coatings to negatively affect intestinal functions such as nutrient absorption, iron and glucose transport; UPDATE: original article retracted due to calculation mistake; corrected article published in December 2018
EFSA assesses 2 substances for use in FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers α-tocopherol acetate safe for use in polyolefins and concludes that migration of zinc from nanoparticles in non-plasticized polymers complies with the current SML, however concerns exist over dietary exposure from other sources
Reducing perchlorate in food
Communication by German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment addresses perchlorate in food, calls for reduction of perchlorate levels in food, omits intentional use in FCMs as significant exposure source
Amendments to EU plastic FCM regulation
EU notifies World Trade Organization of next amendments to plastic FCM regulation; two new substances authorized, specific migration limits changed for two other substances
Researchers detect chemicals present in and migrating from PET bottles
Two studies analyze polyethylene terephthalate (PET) chemicals; identify several volatile chemicals present in and migrating from new PET bottles as well as from bottles commercially available in Japan; develop online method for quantifying non-intentionally added substances (NIAS)
More retailers commit to safer chemicals
Non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families publishes second annual ranking of retailers’ safer chemicals programs; 10 out of 30 retailers take adequate action on toxic chemicals
ASEAN guidelines for FCM manufacture and use available online
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) general guidelines for good manufacturing practice of food contact materials (FCMs), the safety and safe use of FCMs within the food industry, and sale of FCMs within ASEAN Member States recently made available online
European Commission limits BPA in toys
DG Enterprise limits BPA migration from toys to 0.1 mg/l; limit based on voluntary industry standard
EU publishes PFOA regulation
European Commission regulation restricts use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds as a persistent organic pollutants; sets maximum concentration of 0.025 mg/kg for PFOA and salts, 1 mg/kg for related compounds; series of exemptions also in place