European Commission (EC) publishes Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; plans to ban PFAS for all non-essential uses, move towards grouping approach for regulation of all chemicals; specific actions for food contact materials (FCM) include extending generic approach to risk management, identifying endocrine disruptors, considering cumulative effects of chemical mixtures
New loopholes with revised EDC criteria
NGO CHEM Trust criticizes Commission’s newest draft EDC criteria for persisting high burden of proof and loopholes that allow continued use of endocrine disrupting pesticides
Challenges and developments in plastic converter industry
Food Contact Plastics Seminar 2019 discusses use of the mutual recognition principle, improved supply chain communication, analysis of non-intentionally added substances, and regulation of recycling for plastic FCMs
UK rejects ban on SVHCs in food packaging
UK government rejects earlier recommendation from committee report to ban Substances of Very High Concern from food contact materials
Need to evaluate cumulative impacts of environmental chemicals
New study identifies 300 chemicals allowed in food to potentially affect brain development
Case study on different sets of EDC criteria
Industry-sponsored study assesses four natural substances using EU Commission’s different options for criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; highlights need for including potency considerations in EDC criteria
BPA linked to hyperactivity
Meta-analysis substantiates BPA’s link to hyperactivity in children
Styrene concentrations in German and Italian refrigerated dairy products
Scientists assess styrene levels in polystyrene food packaging, migration into refrigerated dairy products, in 50% ethanol, as well as factors influencing migration; report styrene migration of 5 to 30 µg/kg food at the best before date; find food contact area, temperature and time rather than fat content influence styrene migration
Hazard assessment of FCM extracts
Scientists review studies on the use of select bioassays to assess hazard of food contact materials; bioassays considered a useful addition to targeted chemical analysis, especially in the assessment of finished materials and articles
Avoiding regrettable substitutions
History of green chemistry discussed in The Guardian; experts call for informed strategies for removing classes of hazardous chemicals from consumer products