Dietary exposure of rats to mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) fractions similar to those accumulating in humans causes increase of liver and spleen weights; clinical significance needs further investigation
JRC proposes improved testing strategies
EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes study identifying chemical testing strategies that require fewer tests, reduce need for animal testing; based on data on biocide and plant protection products, could be expanded for use across other product types
PFAS testing prompts packaging changes from US retailers, restaurants
Consumer Reports tests 118 food packaging products from 24 US fast food and grocery chains; finds PFAS in over half of the products; nearly one third of packaging products contain over 20 ppm and 22 over 100 ppm organic fluorine; several brands commit or re-commit to removing intentionally added PFAS from their packaging
EU notifies C9-C14 PFCA restriction to WTO
European Union notifies World Trade Organization of proposed amendment to REACH Restriction List (Annex XVII) to restrict manufacturing, use, placing on the market and import of C9-C14 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts and related substances within the EU; long-chain PFCAs can be present in food contact materials as impurities but also degradation products of long-chain fluorotelomers
Plastics Global Commitment progress report 2021
Finds global virgin plastic production for signatory brands and retailers has likely peaked; progress so far driven by recycling, but warns recycling is not the solution and elimination of single-use packaging urgently needed; separate reports find US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling rates decreasing and Australia not meeting plastic recycling targets
US state actions concerning food packaging and chemicals in 2023
A brief overview of US state-level regulatory actions concerning food contact chemicals, material prohibitions, and bottle deposits in 2023; state of Washington bans bisphenol-based epoxy liners in drink cans beginning in 2025; other updates from Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont
EFSA calls for study proposal on implications of new EFSA FCM guidelines
EFSA to commission study of implications of new FCM guidelines, some chemicals may require re-evaluation
California considers policy on PFAS in food packaging
US state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) holds virtual workshop to collect input from stakeholders on use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plant fiber-based food packaging; suggests it could decide to limit scope of products considered in upcoming policy, draws criticism from advocacy groups
Key aspects of sustainability of food packaging
Foster sustainability through holistic considerations along the food production and supply chain
Recommendations for a circular chemical economy
Paper in Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering analyzes sources of chemical losses throughout the chemical life cycle, suggests approaches to improve chemical circularity; losses include fugitive emissions in manufacturing, dissipation in field use, impurities and regulatory incompatibility interfering with recycling; propose two changes to chemical assessments to guide sustainable production and use