Report by Heinrich Bรถll Stiftung provides data and figures on global plastic production and uses, advocates for using this information to catalyze a change of course; report originally published June 2019 in German
Japan updates food contact materials positive list
Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare publishes lists of polymers, additives, and monomers permitted for use in food contact; enforcement of updated list and use requirements set for June 1, 2025; Japanese industry organization publishes discussion paper on chemicals management for products in the circular economy
What is the best beverage packaging?
Article in Spiegel Online compares beverage packaging materials made of glass, plastic and aluminum; reusable glass or plastic bottles are considered most eco-friendly
Colorado bans PFAS, establishes EPR scheme for packaging
Governor Jared Polis of the US state of Colorado signs bills regulating food packaging; House Bill 22-1355 establishes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging and printed paper; House Bill 22-1345 bans PFAS in eight product categories including food packaging by January 1, 2024
Chinese government and industry work on FCM regulation
China amending the national food contact material (FCM) regulation for the first time since 2016; amendments would expand use of previously approved food contact chemicals (FCCs) and food additives; redefines FCM to clarify that packaging material must contact the food item; industry association issues draft guidance; regulatory agencies approve or in process of approving multiple new FCCs
VZBV finds consumers are confused about food contact materials
Market research from German consumer organization Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (VZBV) finds consumers are concerned about food packaging safety but have little understanding of chemicals in packaging; consumers assume all food contact materials and their components have been tested for safety
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 โclose the circularity gapโ and โbend the plastics curveโ; evaluate material usage globally, plastics in OECD nations and globally, and PET in Europe
How much styrene is contained in packaged food: A scientific review
Systematic literature review identifies eight studies analyzing styrene levels in food; reports average level of 91.53 ยตg styrene/kg food; highlights knowledge gaps on other foodstuff besides dairy products
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
Californian District Court holds acrylamide lawsuits
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California grants preliminary injunction halting new lawsuits to enforce the Proposition 65 warning requirement for acrylamide in food and beverages; Californian Chamber of Commerce claims no scientific consensus, argues labels misleading consumers, unconstitutionally forcing speech; only applies to new acrylamide lawsuits; motion for summary judgment denied