German institute for risk assessment publishes position statement on melamine-formaldehyde resins, including tableware made with bamboo fibers; warns consumers against using such tableware with hot liquids; recommends lowering specific migration limit of formaldehyde in EU regulation from 15 to 6 mg/kg
FPF Workshop 2020: Work of IARC explained
Kate Guyton reviews the work of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), underlines the essential role played by independent scientific experts, describes processes used for evidence synthesis and carcinogen classification; key characteristics of carcinogens constitute an important approach to cancer hazard identification
15th amendment to EU plastic FCM regulation published
European Commission publishes final text further amending Regulation 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials and articles; includes introduction of approved use of new substances, updates specific migration limits, allows for migration testing of entire food processing equipment
EFSA reevaluates SML of antioxidant in plastic FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel agrees to increase specific migration limit of phosphorous acid, mixed 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl and 4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl triesters for use in plastic food contact materials
Lower PAH concentrations recommended
German Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommending polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration of < 0.2 mg/kg in consumer products; criteria to inform voluntary safety standard
Heavy metals in Indian plastic bottles
Mumbay-based NGO tests plastic bottles and finds elevated heavy metal levels; NGO now demands ban of plastic bottles used as packaging
Mercosur updates plastic food packaging regulation
South American trade bloc to no longer allow bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic food contact articles designed for children under 3 years old, lowers migration limit from other plastic FCAs; sets migration limits for 9 metals from plastic FCAs; adds substances to positive list for plastics and for cellulosic materials
EFSA evaluates alkanamides mixture for use in FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers mixture of methyl-branched and linear C14–C18 alkanamides, derived from fatty acids, safe for use in for food contact materials under certain conditions
US EPA reissues PFBS risk assessment
US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) reissues risk assessment on perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS); sets reference doses for chronic exposure of 0.0003 mg/kg body weight/day and sub-chronic exposures of 0.001 mg/kg body weight/day
Antimony trioxide inhalation limit
U.S. scientific organization recommends lowering inhalation limit to 0.02 mg/m3; industry group warns of cost increases and intransparency in calculations