Scientists find one-fifth of brominated flame retardants’ content in recycling streams is transferred to new products; discuss trade-offs between consumer safety and resource efficiency; European officials maintain toxics can be managed within the circular economy
Consumers concerned about microplastics
More than half of German population concerned about microplastics in food, according to survey by German risk assessment institute; 45% worried about aluminum in food packaging
BfR answers consumer questions on EDCs
German risk assessment institute opens fourth online-dialogue forum for consumers, questions on EDCs to be answered by president
BfR discusses polyfluorinated chemicals
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment’s commission on food contaminants addresses polyfluorinated compounds in food packaging and demands safety assessment by EFSA
BfR updates recommendations for FCMs
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes updates to non-binding recommendations for various food contact materials (FCMs); includes new migration limits for slimicides and aluminum in paper and board, catalyst residues in polypropylene and polyethylene, new monomers for polymer dispersions
BfR forum on mineral oils
German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) invites to forum on mineral oils; addresses analytical methods, toxicology, risk assessment and regulation of mineral oils
BFFP: 13 key investments to combat plastic pollution
Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) recommends 13 key investments for US federal action; includes funding for multi re-use facility infrastructure, Environmental Protection Agency , research, government, and educational institutions; discourages further investments in chemical recycling, waste-to-energy/fuel technologies, carbon sequestration, downcycling, production, distribution and export of plastics
BfR: 18th Meeting on consumer goods and FCMs
German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes minutes of advisory committee meeting discussing European and German legislation on FCMs, migration issues, novel substances for food contact
EFSA working group updates in May, June, and July 2020
Minutes from recent meetings of the EFSA CEP panel and working groups on BPA, FCMs, and recycling plastics published; scientific opinions on benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BDTA), multiple recycling processes published
New research on chemical migration from plastic, paper, can coating, and reusables
Recent reports investigate whitening agents’ migration from disposable plastic containers; characterize 153 chemicals migrating from paper packaging and show estimated dietary exposure for children to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) exceed safety threshold; detect brominated flame retardants in repeat-use food contact articles; review metal can coating literature concerning coatings types, chemical migrants, detection methods, dietary exposure, and regulatory