Members of the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee vote in favor of draft report recommending improvements to FCM regulations; CHEM Trust blog reviews report; final vote scheduled for October 2016
European Parliament prepares FCM report
GenX: developmental toxicant in rats
Study finds developmental toxicity in rats for hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA or GenX); exposure results in reduced pup birth weights, increased pup liver weight, and reduced neonatal survival; similar adverse effects to other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; knowledge gaps regarding clearance rate and human half-life
US FDA updates to food contact inventory since August 2022
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds 26 new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance Notifications (FCNs) since August 2022
Response to BPA roadmap
Health and Environment Alliance submits comments to Commission’s BPA roadmap, recommends banning all bisphenols with endocrine disrupting properties for FCMs
Waste wave
Large quantity of plastic marine debris washed ashore after storm in Dominican Republic
Belgium: Regulation on coatings
Belgium passes Royal Decree on varnishes and coatings intended to come into contact with foodstuffs
Transparency and sustainability of EU risk assessment
EU Parliament publishes draft report on proposal by the EU Commission, suggests withholding supporting information until publication of scientific opinion
Environmental exposures and diabetes
Scientists find parabens, bisphenols, benzophenone exposure associated with increased diabetes risk; review discusses potential mechanisms involved
New form of PLA seen as beneficial for application in hot food packaging
Researchers develop a more thermally resistant form of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic; provides clear, tough, and heat resistant material with the potential to expand PLA market application and reduce price