Four studies investigate bisphenol (BP) migration from food packaging and human health effects; demonstrate wide presence of 11 bisphenols in polystyrene take-out food containers from China, Canada, and Poland; report material quality influences BPA migration from polycarbonate cups; indicate higher BPA migration from lined cans than plastic packaging into meat based on probabilistic models; find bisphenols A, F, and S induce genotoxic effects and changes in human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) expression using human blood cells
MEPs criticize Commission over delayed EDC criteria
Members of the European Parliament submit motion of censure to President of European Parliament; criticize EC’s failure to provide EDC criteria in due time
Aggregate exposure assessment for BPA
Scientists discuss aggregate exposure assessment for bisphenol A; source-to-dose (forward) and biomonitoring-based (backward) calculation resulted in similar estimates; 90% of exposure comes from diet and the remaining 10% mainly from dermal exposure
Progress in high-throughput in vitro testing
In vitro assays and alternative approaches being developed for EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program and within EU-ToxRisk are hitting ground
EFSA renews CEF Panel
EFSA looking for scientific experts to join new Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP), which will replace CEF Panel in July 2018
EFSA: Scientific Committee meets to discuss endocrine disruption
EFSA’s Scientific Committee will discuss endocrine disruption and chemical mixtures during its plenary session
U.S. consumers confused about compostable and biodegradable food packaging labels
Half of surveyed people have difficulty with the difference between compostable and biodegradable; 50% of participants fail to dispose of packaging correctly; report suggests better standardization and consumer education needed
Mutagenicity of chemicals in printed paper and board FCMs
Scientists propose strategy for prioritizing assessment of non-evaluated chemicals potentially present in printed paper and board FCMs with help of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models; identify 106 substances of highest concern
Is ‘BPA-free’ safe?
Endocrine News article highlights similarities in hormone disrupting effects of BPA and common substitute BPS, showing that BPA-free does not necessarily mean EDC-free
Opinion: Need for swift regulatory action on packaging materials
UK charity ChemTrust urges the new Commissioner for Health and Food Safety to improve consumer protection