California Ocean Protection Council (COPC) publishes unanimously-approved roadmap for state microplastics policy; includes 22 possible immediate actions to limit microplastics based on current knowledge and a 13-point research strategy to inform later actions; German government publishes report on the state of knowledge of microplastics pollution and options for action
EFSA updates food consumption database
EFSA releases updated Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, includes data from EU Menu project, covers more population groups and new food categories
EU Parliament comments on EFSAโs independence policy
European Parliament criticizes EFSAโs draft independence policy; calls on EFSA to introduce comprehensive cooling-off period for experts, consider research funding among assessed interests, apply policy consistently to all staff
FDAโs food additives risk assessment under scrutiny
New study sheds light on FDAโs food additives safety assessment and makes recommendations for modernizing the process
Micro- and nanoplastics are released from different food contact articles
Researchers report cooking in non-stick Teflon cookware may lead to the release of thousands of micro- and nanoplastics; find 3 to 43 plastic particles prone to be released from Chinese polypropylene takeaway containers; detect around 1,500 microplastics/liter in Iranian bottled water; review points out that micro- and nanoplastic detection methods in food need validation and standardization
Chemicals of concern in baby and toddler diet
French food safety agency assesses dietary exposure of children under 3 to chemicals; identifies 16 substances of concern and recommends reducing exposure; more data needed for substances migrating from FCMs
Greenpeace survey on plastic bottles
Soft drink companies have limited commitment to reducing single-use plastic bottles, increasing recycled content in PET bottles, considering PET bottlesโ contribution to ocean pollution, according to new Greenpeace report
Front-runners in chemical footprinting report 2020
Clean Production Action releases annual results of its Chemical Footprint Project (CFP); finds seven โfront-runningโ companies scoring over 80% have senior management engagement in chemical management, public disclosure of restricted substances, measure chemical footprint using the CFP reference list, invest in safer alternatives
New Indian food packaging regulations
New regulations set migration limits and prohibit recycled plastics in packaging; enter into force in July
Chemical Footprint Project workshop
Chemical Footprint Project 2017 workshop to take place on December 7, 2017 in Boston, U.S.; registration now open