UK Local Government Association finds only one third of collected plastic food packaging is recyclable, calls for better packaging design, ban on low-grade plastics, greater contribution of producers to cost of collection and disposal
UK public consultation on food strategy
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs calls for evidence to support development of National Food Strategy; plans for ‘radical shake-up of the UK’s food industry’; consultation open online until October 25, 2019
£7 million for innovative UK plastic supply chain projects
Innovate UK seeks applications from UK businesses, institutions, charities, etc. to fund ambitious projects addressing UK Plastic Pact targets; project foci include: minimization/reduction of plastic packaging, food grade recycled polypropylene and polyethylene, and packaging suitable for reuse, refill; application open until September 8, 2021
UK publishes report on bio-based FCMs
Report reviews published scientific and grey literature for existing materials marketed for food contact; expects current risk assessment methods to be appropriate or adaptable, notes limited existing research on materials made from agri-food by-products and their potential risks
Report on improving management of UK packaging waste
Researchers investigate current waste management system, identify long-term waste management contracts with local authorities as limiting improvements and innovation; recommend better distribution of value across system using extended producer responsibility, deposit schemes
UK supermarket coalition co-developing refill system
Four UK supermarket chains announce they are partnering to create a single food refill system that works across all their stores and delivery platforms; want to reduce single-use plastic packaging; details and trial locations to be announced later in 2022
Hazardous chemicals in food contact materials?
The Food Packaging Forum’s second annual workshop was dedicated to hazardous chemicals in food contact materials (FCMs). A recent study by the Food Packaging Forum revealed that known chemicals of concern are knowingly and intentionally used in the manufacture of FCMs. During the workshop, participants learned from internationally renowned scientific experts how hazardous chemicals are managed in FCMs, how their risk is assessed, how chemical analytical work helps to ensure the safety of food packaging, and what emerging issues are related to the risk of chemicals in FCMs. They also heard […]
French order on food contact rubber
France publishes new Order on food contact rubber and pacifiers for infants and toddlers; updates lists of authorized substances, their specifications, restrictions; law enters into force on July 1, 2021
EFSA: Non-monotonic dose response update
EFSA-commissioned review of non-monotonic dose response (NMDR) studies published; four substances relevant to food safety identified with potential for NMDR effects
Extranuclear actions of EDCs at low doses
Scientists review molecular mechanisms underlying low-dose actions of estrogenic EDCs, focusing on extranuclear signaling; BPA effects in pancreas and heart mediated through alpha, beta, and membrane-associated forms of estrogen receptor