The Food Packaging Forum submits comments to EFSA concerning its public consultation on the draft scientific opinion on risk assessment of chemicals in FCMs
European Commission responds to NGO letter on EDCs
Commission agrees with EFSA’s definition of EDCs and rejects criticism regarding EFSA’s independence
New safety assessment procedure for unknown NIAS
New safety assessment of unknown non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in food contact materials (FCM) presented
Stakeholder task force releases guidelines for compostable products legislation
US Composting Council, Biodegradable Products Institute, industry, and civil society organizations collaborate on publishing principles to guide policymakers; suggest requirement for third-party certification of compostability claims; present clear rules for labeling and product design
Non-target screening of silicone rubber extracts
Scientists perform non-target screening of compounds extracted from infant silicone teats; identify 140 compounds in 12 categories; more than a third of substances need safety evaluation
Report grades companies on responses to plastic pollution
Shareholder advocacy group As You Sow evaluates 50 largest US consumer-facing companies on their responses to address plastic pollution crisis; finds most companies too slow in adopting actions to prioritize packaging reduction and to promote reusability, recyclability, compostability; outlines key recommendations
Microplastics as freshwater contaminants
New study reviews microplastic as emerging contaminant of freshwaters
Associations report European packaging recycling rates
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
Public consultation on EFSA’s independence policy
EFSA launches public consultation on its draft policy on independence; deadline for submitting comments is May 5, 2017
EFSA publishes draft BPA opinion, part II
EFSA launches public consultation on BPA risk assessment opinion; recommends lowering of TDI; exposure levels considered safe