Prenatal exposure to PFAAs and DDE may be associated with T4 levels in infants, Dutch study shows
BPA still in food cans
Extensive analysis in the U.S. and Canada finds most food cans still coated with BPA-based epoxy; BPA-free alternatives may be questionable
Studies investigate plastic packaging use, EDCs, and reproductive health
Recent research articles look at relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from packaging and human reproductive health; find no relationship between a woman’s reported use of plastic food packaging and pregnancy duration and birthweight; identify potential non-monotonic dose-response relationship between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure and woman’s reported infertility
Biomonitoring of melamine after plastic bowl use
Taiwanese researchers measure increased levels of melamine in people after consumption of a hot soup from melamine plastic table ware
Plans laid to review 60 years of research on plastics and human health
Minderoo Foundation researchers publish protocol for systematic review of human in vivo studies related to exposure from chemicals in plastics
Report investigates greenhouse gas emissions, packaging, and food waste
National Zero Waste Council (NZWC) reviews 4 packaging materials across 12 product types, examines how packaging can be optimized to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by both preventing food waste and minimizing material packaging waste
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
P&P conference 2018
Smithers Pira’s annual conference on “Plastics & paper in contact with foodstuffs” covers regulatory updates, summarizes industry initiatives, discusses future developments
EFSA: Update on HDPE recycling for FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel provides additional information as requested by the European Commission on two HDPE recycling processes for use in FCMs
BPA in Danish tomato cans
Danish consumer council finds BPA in lacquer of cans containing peeled tomatoes; alternatives BPF and BPS not detected in BPA-free cans