Special issue of peer-reviewed journal Hormones and Behavior focuses on endocrine disrupting chemicals’ effects on behavior; articles address molecular mechanisms, animal studies and epidemiological observations, discuss specific chemicals including BPA, triclosan, PBDEs, PFASs
Replacing hazardous chemicals with similarly toxic alternatives
New report by NGO CHEM Trust highlights necessity to regulate groups of similar chemicals to avoid regrettable substitutions, illustrates replacement of BPA with BPS and other analogues as example
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
New EFSA guidance documents for scientific assessments
EFSA’s Scientific Committee publishes new guidance on biological relevance of data and weight of evidence approach in scientific assessments
Forum on EU circular economy package in Switzerland
European Commission proposes Green Claims Directive
European Commission seeks to combat ‘green washing’; proposal would regulate environmental claims and promote transparent communication to consumers; product claims will need to be independently verified, will launch new database of trustworthy labels
EFSA: 3rd FIP network meeting on FCMs
EFSA’s Food Ingredients and Packaging Scientific Network held third meeting on food contact materials on May 24-26, 2016 in Parma, Italy
EFSA: Safety assessment of 3 FCM substances
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers substances 2,4-di-tert-amylphenol, montmorillonite clay modified by dimethyldialkyl(C16-C18)ammonium chloride, and 4-acrylamido-4-methyl-2-pentanone as safe for use in food contact materials under certain conditions
EU environment committee adopts waste legislation
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee amends legislative package on waste management; sets 80% target for recycling and reusing packaging waste for 2030
Recent innovations in packaging
Companies present paper-based packaging for alcoholic beverages, multipack cans; new designs and materials for better recyclability; more products reported to use 100% recycled plastics