Scientific study performs hazard prioritization on chemicals in printing inks and adhesives applied to plastic food packaging; uses publicly available “substances of concern” lists and an in silico tool; identifies 636 high and 1024 medium priority substances of which 696 ranked as “very high priority substances” by experts
EU’s non-toxic strategy reports
EU Commission publishes comprehensive study and 7 sub-studies on its non-toxic environment strategy
Food contact chemicals among 921 substances tied to breast cancer risk
Researchers expand list of known substances with characteristics linked to breast cancer by more than four-fold; many are in standard consumer products, including 189 in food contact according to FPF’s database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex); authors call for improved hazard identification methods, advocate for more comprehensive chemical testing, especially focusing on the mammary gland and broader range of chemicals
Report compares US state recycling rates
Ball Corporation commissioned report compares recycling rates across US states for rigid plastics, glass, aluminum and steel cans, and cardboard for 2018; best overall recycling rates found for Maine (72%); results based on multiple data sources including US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, municipalities, waste processors; finds high recycling rates correlate with presence of deposit return systems, curb recycling, extended producer responsibility schemes
Assessment of PPSU for baby bottles
Scientists characterize intentionally and non-intentionally added substances in polyphenylsulfone material intended for baby bottles; analytical results and threshold of toxicological concern-based considerations suggest no safety concerns
Studies assess PFAS, OPEs, and plasticizers in paper & board
Review summarizes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) migration from paper food packaging into food and food simulants and identifies dietary exposure of PFAS as potential human health risk; study highlights need to further evaluate organophosphate esters (OPEs) and prohibited PFAS in paper and aluminum foil food packaging; scientists analyze and recommend extraction method to assess plasticizers in recycled paperboard
2021 FPF Workshop: Tools to prioritize societal health
On the third day of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss the new Understanding Packaging Scorecard that helps improve packaging procurement decision making, how regulators assess food packaging in the lab and on the market, new projects investigating plastics, and how understanding game theory in group decision making can lead to societal benefits
U.S. retailer urged to ban toxic chemicals
Non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families calls on U.S. retailer Albertsons to adopt comprehensive chemicals policy after finding lead, formaldehyde, parabens, and BPA in consumer products sold in its stores
EU consults on nanomaterial definition
European Commission launches targeted stakeholder consultation to review 2011 recommendation on a nanomaterial definition for use across regulations; feedback being accepted until June 30, 2021; recent review article finds nanomaterials primarily used as antimicrobials in food packaging, applications could expand in future pending safety uncertainties
ECHA proposes seven substances for authorization
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposes addition of seven substances of very high concern (SVHC) to REACH authorization list; includes the siloxanes octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), terphenyl, hydrogenated, di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DCHP), disodium octaborate, and benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid 1,2-anhydride (TMA)