Ukraine’s Ministry of Health notifies World Trade Organization of a draft restriction on vinyl chloride in contact with food; restriction aligns with a 1978 European Council declaration on vinyl chloride in food contact materials (FCMs); ministry announces other alignments including on migration of lead and cadmium from ceramic FCMs
Oligomer migration from PET and Tritan™
Scientists find cyclic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) oligomers migrate into fatty food simulants but not olive oil; levels higher from recycled compared to virgin PET; comprehensive extraction and migration experiments of Tritan™ products find oligomer migration from bottles of no toxicological concern but microwaveable containers were non-suitable for food heating
Migration of cyclo-di-BADGE into oily foods
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment evaluates migration of NIAS cyclo-di-BADGE from can coatings into oily fish; suggests TTC of 90 µg/person/day and generating more toxicity data
Risk assessment for styrene oligomers
Risk assessment based on TTC and FACET methodology finds low risk for styrene dimers and trimers migrating from polystyrene food containers
India plans to test FCMs for BPA
Government authority announces planned survey of food contact materials (FCMs) to test for presence of bisphenol A (BPA); results to be used to develop regulatory framework including maximum allowable content, leaching limits, tolerable daily intake
IARC: melamine possibly carcinogenic
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies melamine as possibly carcinogenic to humans
Measures to limit chemical migration from recycled paperboard
Review identifies and discusses three approaches to limit chemical migration from recycled paperboard to make it acceptable for food applications; considers internal bags with an incorporated barrier, barrier layers, and functional sorbents added to the board; study on migration from paper cups identifies exposures to vanadium and fluoride
FPF comments on FCCs under review for REACH Candidate List
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is reviewing five food contact chemicals (FCCs) for possible inclusion on the REACH Candidate List of SVHCs; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) shares information on where the FCCs have been measured in food contact; two are on the EU positive list for chemicals in plastic food contact materials; FCCs under consideration for SVHC status and allowed in FCMs highlights need to create stronger connection between FCM regulation and REACH
BPS affects maternal behavior
Exposure of pregnant and lactating mice to human-exposure-relevant dose of bisphenol S (BPS) impairs maternal behavior, what can lead to lower offspring survival; behavioral effects also seen in daughters of exposed mice
EU regulation on BPA in FCMs published
EU Commission issues new regulation on the use of bisphenol A in plastic food contact materials, varnishes and coatings, infant ‘sippy’ cups; applies from September 6, 2018