Scientists develop radiolabeling method to trace per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) uptake and distribution in mice; observe uptake in all organs, transport from mother to fetus across placenta; highest uptake in liver after tail vein administration, in lungs after oral gavage
Associations report European packaging recycling rates
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
Achieving safe and sustainable food packaging: Where are we now?
On September 28, 2023, the Food Packaging Forum held its 11th annual workshop under the theme of achieving safe & sustainable food packaging and assessing where we are now. Featuring a diverse range of expert speakers representing different stakeholder groups, participants heard keynote presentations on the latest science and policy, discussed key questions in break-out groups, engaged in an in-depth panel discussion on reuse, and shared their perspectives and open questions. Over 170 registered participants from more than 20 different […]
Provisional agreement reached on EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
European Parliament and Council conclude negotiations on packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); bans all PFAS in food packaging; targets at least 10% reusable beverage packaging by 2030; requires deposit return system for plastic and metal beverage containers; packaging reduction targets set to start in 2030
‘Cocktails’ of endocrine disruptors
New study finds molecular mechanism likely to contribute to toxic ‘cocktail effect’ of EDC mixtures
ECHA finds health benefits outweigh costs of REACH restrictions
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) study analyzes costs and benefits of REACH restrictions proposed during 2016-2020; finds public health benefits of €2.1 billion per year outweigh costs of €0.5 billion per year; restrictions protect over seven million EU citizens from cancers, sexual development disorders, asthma, skin allergies; prevents annual release of 100 000 tons of polluting chemicals
EU chemicals policy 2030 conference
European Commission to host high level conference June 27-28, 2019 to present results from chemicals legislation reviews, invite stakeholders to discuss developments and next steps within the EU
PepsiCo: 50% rPET in Europe by 2030
PepsiCo commits to using 50% recycled polyethylene terephthalate in beverage bottles in the EU by 2030
EFSA EREN: Identifying emerging risks
Overview article describes outcomes of EFSA’s emerging risks exchange network (EREN) from 2010-2014, strategy for dealing with emerging risks in food safety
EDCs and manufacturing doubt
Prominent EDC researchers publish rebuttal to critique of WHO/UNEP State of the Science 2012 report, accuse industry-funded scientists to deliberately confuse non-experts to delay regulatory action