Industry associations report recycling rates of packaging materials in Europe; average collection rate of glass bottles and jars hit 80% in 2020; paper packaging recycling over 80%; paper recycling rates close to theoretical maximum; plastic recycling has not increased despite increased demand by beverage companies; two-thirds of plastic-packaging pledges in Europe failed, supporting the change away from single-use likely necessary
ASEAN member actions on plastic and chemical pollution
Nations in Southeast Asia collectively working on reducing plastic pollution and related chemical hazards; Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signs off on project to “combat” marine plastic; Thailand plans ban on plastic scrap imports; new research available on sources of plastic pollution in Indonesia and Vietnam; Vietnam and Singapore implementing stricter chemical regulations; extended producer responsibility for plastic waste becomes law in Philippines
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
EU Member States to risk-assess 117 substances in 2017-2019
ECHA and EU Member States propose list of 117 substances to be evaluated for risk to human health and environment; list features 4 substances relevant for FCMs
EFSA reviews phenol and lowers TDI
EFSA asks European Commission to consider multiple routes of exposure when setting limit for phenols in food contact materials
EFSA seeks comments on chemical mixtures research and prioritization
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announces public consultation period concerning draft on “scientific criteria for grouping chemicals into assessment groups for human risk assessment” of chemical mixtures; particular focus on chemicals related to food and feed safety; seeking feedback from experts in chemical risk assessment, organizations and people in the field of chemicals mixtures and food safety; comment period ends July 10, 2021
FPF comments on EFSA’s non-monotonic dose response opinion
Scientific Committee’s Scientific Opinion fails to deliver on European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) commitment to scientific excellence and transparency; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) sends open letter to EFSA’s leadership urging them to address severe shortcomings in content and process; adequate scientific appraisal of non-monotonic dose response (NMDR) is critical for chemical risk assessment that protects public health
Regulatory identification of BPA as endocrine disruptor
Special issue of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology addresses regulatory identification of bisphenol A as endocrine disruptor, summarizes evidence for endocrine-mediated adverse effects on estrous cycle, mammary gland development, neurobehavior, metabolism
Studies report on bisphenol exposure and health effects
Review summarizes plastic-associated bisphenol A (BPA) sources, exposure, and human health risks; dietary bisphenol exposure via packaged food consumption in Saudi Arabia is potential human health concern; review discusses bisphenols’ effects on the cardiovascular system and recommends human-relevant studies with bisphenols other than BPA; consensus scoring analysis identifies endocrine-disrupting food contact chemicals potentially interacting with nuclear receptors
EFSA comments on misleading communication of BPA risks
Low health concern associated with BPA aggregate exposure was not acknowledged in communication materials to make them “accessible” to non-specialist audiences, EFSA claims