European Commission publishes 6th amendment to plastic FCM regulation; changes for 6 substances and inclusion of 10 new substances in Union List; new specific migration limits for aluminum and zinc; food simulants and compliance testing specified
BPS and other color developers migrate from food labels into food
Scientists analyze 140 Canadian samples of food packaging and thermal labels; first to demonstrate that bisphenol S (BPS) and alternative chemicals found in food labels migrate through packaging materials into food; study assesses levels of BPS and other bisphenols in 79 canned Turkish foods; detect BPS in six samples in levels up to 0.036 mg/kg food
Mineral oils in chocolate Santas
Foodwatch study finds typical Christmas chocolates and sweets to contain mineral oil residues; demands recall of affected products
US FDA updates to food contact inventory since April
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds 18 new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance Notifications (FCNs) since April 2022
Methodology for EDC impact assessment
European Commission’s Joint Research Centre publishes report on EDC screening method used in Commission’s impact assessment on criteria to identify EDCs
Guidance on barrier bags
Swiss Packaging Institute publishes new guidance document on barriers for inner bags of recycled cartons; sets benchmark for barrier efficiency to ensure minimal migration of unwanted chemicals from carton into food
Sources of PFASs exposure in humans
Scientists examine associations between exposure factors and levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in humans; compare several methods of dietary exposure assessment; food contact articles significantly contributed to PFASs intakes
French retailers to limit mineral oils in food
E.Leclerc and Lidl France take action against contamination of their own-brand food products with mineral oils; restrict MOAH to untraceable amounts and introduce limit values for MOSH
EFSA publishes final opinion and protocol for phthalates in FCMs
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes final scientific opinion on prioritization of phthalates used in food contact materials (FCMs), protocol for dietary exposure assessment of prioritized substances; documents remain largely the same as the drafts with addition of a few substances and more clarity on the prioritization process; EFSA calls for information on migration of phthalates and other plasticizers in FCMs, input being accepted from June 1 to November 1, 2022
EFSA publishes uncertainty guidance
EFSA issues new guidance on uncertainty analysis in scientific assessments; public consultation on draft guidance for communicating uncertainty upcoming