Italian studies investigate consumer perception and attitude; find food- and packaging-related eco-labels to equally signal higher food quality and safety to consumers; demonstrate high willingness of consumers to buy active, intelligent, and sustainable packaging; survey in UK finds adding stickers with clear recycling messages increases recycling behavior
French order on food contact rubber
France publishes new Order on food contact rubber and pacifiers for infants and toddlers; updates lists of authorized substances, their specifications, restrictions; law enters into force on July 1, 2021
Food Contact Regulations USA 2021
U.S. grocer plans packaging chemical restrictions
Ahold Delhaize USA to restrict chemicals of concern from private label products across all stores; targets chemicals including PFAS, BPA, phthalates; plans to increase testing to ensure compliance and partner with suppliers to identify contamination sources
Scientists are speaking out
National Geographic reports on why scientists increasingly engage in environmental and public health debates
EDC criteria and trade implications
EU Health Commissioner Andriukaitis meets with ambassadors from North and South America, asserts that EU EDC criteria will address concerns over possible trade restrictions
Substitution analysis for plastic packaging
Life cycle assessment study commissioned by American Chemistry Council finds packaging plastics to have more favorable environmental profile than alternatives made of glass, metal, paper, textile, wood
McDonaldβs to trial new packaging
Two Canadian concept restaurant locations to trial new packaging including fully re-pulpable cups, fiber lids, wooden cutlery, paper straws; items could be rolled out widely in the future
Printing ink compounds detected in foods
UK survey finds eight different printing ink chemicals in food samples as well as their packaging
Microplastics: linkage to the gut's microbiome and autism spectrum disorder
Scientific study reports that gut passages change polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics morphology and alter human microbial colonic community composition; another study finds polyethylene (PE) microplastics to accumulate in the brain and induce autism spectrum disorder-like symptoms using a mouse model