European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes report on plastics, their impact on the environment and climate, and their place in an EU circular economy; three joint pathways for achieving necessary change identified based on smarter use, increased circularity, and renewable raw material
EFSA determines titanium dioxide not safe as food additive
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) releases new assessment of titanium dioxide as a food additive, could not rule out genotoxicity; change in opinion from last assessment in 2016; announcement does not affect food contact materials
NGO calls to ban PFAS in food packaging
Environmental Working Group calls on U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging; cites report finding PFAS used in restaurant chain compostable paper bowls; PFAS manufacturer Chemours discontinues three products for PFAS food packaging coatings
“Sky-Light MPR” recycling process safe for FCM
EFSA publishes “Sky-Light MPR” process evaluation, considers recycling process safe for food contact
Walmart evaluates its chemical footprint
Walmart becomes first retailer to participate in Chemical Footprint Project survey, measuring its use and reduction of chemicals of concern
Study ignores other risk factors for preterm births
ACC responds to study linking phthalate exposure to preterm births, criticizes exclusion of other risk factors and limited sample size
Opinion: FDA reviews needed
Survey finds consumers increasingly value safety and transparency in their food; Tom Neltner argues that meeting these demands necessitates FDA review of all food product ingredients
FPF Workshop 2015: Videos available
Video recordings and presentation slides of the 2015 FPF Workshop are now available online
New guidance on how EFSA handles applications for authorization
EFSA issues new “administrative guidance for the processing of application for regulated products;” applies also to food contact materials
Sweden observes increase in hypospadias
Swedish researchers report increase in reproductive disorder, hypothesized to be linked to EDCs