Study identifies mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) exposure as high-risk factor for leiomyoma growth on epidemiological and mechanistic level; European biomonitoring of five reprotoxic phthalates demonstrates necessity to integrate mixture risk assessment into regulatory practice; targeted analysis shows migration of five phthalates from polypropylene food packaging
RSC, animal rights NGOs debate EDC management
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) position statement promotes risk-based approach to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) post-Brexit; three NGOs argue in favor of increased use of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) to identify EDCs
Sustainable development and green chemistry
Food Packaging Forum and Green Buzz host business lunch event in Zurich with the author of Our Stolen Future, Dr. John Peterson Myers
European Ombudsman calls for TTIP transparency
Public consultation aims to increase transparency surrounding the EU-US trade talks
Studies detect microplastics in food and link it to packaging, processing equipment
Several articles published since the beginning of 2023 have analyzed plastic particles in packaged foods and beverages, including salt, sugar, canned fish, bottled water, soft drinks, and cold tea; draw a connection to packaging and food processing; migration studies demonstrate particle release from plastic food containers and breastmilk storage bags; review develops 10 criteria for data quality assessment and find most studies “unreliable” on one or more criteria
French law supports bioplastics
France adopts new law on energy transition and green growth; bio-based plastic bags for fruits and vegetables required
Reports identify there is still much to do to reach a circular economy
In the first quarter of 2022 Circle Economy, the OECD, and Zero Waste Europe publish reports investigating various aspects of material value chains and share insights to ‘close the circularity gap’ and ‘bend the plastics curve’; evaluate material usage globally, plastics in OECD nations and globally, and PET in Europe
Permanent materials for a circular economy
European Glass Container Federation recommends incentivizing permanent materials and closed loop recycling for food packaging to achieve effective and safe circular economy
Nanomaterials regulation in different countries
New JRC-study reviews regulatory measures for nanotechnology in food and feed production in different countries; only EU and Switzerland have legally binding nano-specific provisions
Nanomaterials in FCMs: Open questions on migration and safety
Scientists review migration of nanomaterials from polymer-based FCMs, question suitability of migration testing conditions and diffusion-based models for estimation of nanomaterials migration, point to knowledge gaps regarding actions in human body