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
About Us
About the food packaging forum At the Food Packaging Forum, we enable stakeholders to make better decisions: We share the latest science on chemicals in food contact materials and on the environmental impacts of food packaging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEaNm2xz9O0 Why a forum on food packaging? Food is essential to health and wellbeing. And food packaging plays a critical role in the storage of food, but it also has many other important functionalities in today’s complex, globalized food systems. Food packaging and food […]
Novelties of bioplastics: EC’s policy framework and industry updates
European Commission (EC) publishes policy framework on bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics; aims to guide policy, industry, and public; “bioplastics” should not distract from circular economy principles prioritizing reduction, reuse, recycling; 17th annual European Bioplastics conference gives insights into recent bioplastics’ developments; bioplastics production capacities projected to almost triple by 2027
FCM substances ubiquitous in pubertal girls
Agence France-Presse reports on investigation of environmental causes of breast cancer; phthalates, BPA and pesticides found in all girls participating in study
Newsweek article reports on opposing viewpoints on BPA
Representatives from academia, government and industry express their opinions on BPA, battle over BPA safety continues
FDA called on to clarify its PFAS statements
Environmental Defense Fund questions U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s statements that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) not a concern in foods, requests details about analytical and risk assessment methodology to help fill “critical gaps” in FDA statements
Video explains BPA health risks
Online video covers European Food and Safety Agency’s latest scientific opinion on bisphenol A
Updated risk assessment highlights the need for stricter regulation on MOH in food
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) updates risk assessment on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in food; highest MOH levels found in vegetable oils; notes that data gaps exist, especially in mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) impact on toddlers; “extremely likely” that dietary exposure to MOAH is a concern for toddlers; EFSA recommendations aim to guide EU policy on allowable MOH levels in food
Microplastics in human stool
Scientists detect microplastics in every human stool sample collected in eight countries, call for further research to better understand influence on gastrointestinal health
Hazardous chemicals and recycling
Dutch institute for public health (RIVM) recommends “responsible” plastics recycling; use of purification technology to minimize exposure to chemicals of concern is advised