European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes scientific opinion on bisphenol A (BPA); tolerable daily intake reduced by a factor of 20 000; concludes that there is a health concern from current dietary BPA exposure levels for entire population
EFSA opinions on 10 recycling processes
European Food Safety Authority’s CEP Panel publishes scientific opinions on 10 recycling processes for post-consumer PET; all found to be safe for use in specified food contact applications
Nordic Council checks compliance of products sold online
Inspectors from Nordic countries examine 361 products ordered online for compliance with various EU chemicals legislation; find 53% non-compliant, higher rate of non-compliance for products sold by companies outside of EU; lead, short chain chlorinated paraffins, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) detected most often
Epigenetics in risk assessment
Current state of epigenetics science and potential integration of epigenetic effects into risk assessment discussed at EFSA colloquium
Peer-reviewed study finds chemicals in plastics induce adipogenesis
Researchers analyze plastic extracts for their chemical composition and promotion of obesity; find one-third induce fat production (adipogenesis); detect several thousand chemicals in the extracts, including known metabolism-disrupting chemicals
EFSA: Consultations on weight of evidence and biological relevance
EFSA announces public consultation on two draft guidance documents concerning use of weight of evidence approach in scientific assessments and identification of biological relevance of observed effects
Children’s exposure to EDCs
New study finds BPA, nonylphenol, phthalates, and parabens in American children’s urine; call for further research on EDC’s role in pediatric hormonal disorders
EDC criteria: Latest revision and next meeting
EU Commission publishes latest version of revised criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; NGOs and industry still dissatisfied with proposed criteria; next expert meeting, and possible vote, to be held February 28, 2017
Food additives and child health
Policy statement and technical report by American Academy of Pediatrics describe child health effects of direct and indirect food additives, provide recommendations for reducing exposures, call for revision of food additives regulation in the U.S.
EFSA updates food consumption database
EFSA releases updated Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, includes data from EU Menu project, covers more population groups and new food categories