EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on phthalates reassesses safety of DBP, BBP and DEHP for food contact plastics; new meeting minutes now available online
EFSA publishes opinion on mineral oils
In an opinion published in June EFSA concludes that there might be a need of reconsideration of Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADIs) of some Mineral Oil ‘saturated’ Hydrocarbons (MOSHs)
EFSA assesses safety of 3 FCM substances
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate), polyacrylic acid, sodium salt, cross-linked, and potassium metabisulfite safe for use in food contact materials under certain conditions
Commission decides against EU nano register
European Commission declines EU register for nanomaterials and confirms that new information requirements for nanomaterials under REACH will not be introduced before 2018
U.K. committee report on toxic chemicals
Parliamentary committee report calls for greater transparency of chemicals used in food packaging, recommends U.K.-wide ban on SVHCs in food contact materials, proposes government strategy to reduce PFAS exposure
Suggestion for EU FCM regulatory change
Koni Grob of the Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich publishes two articles proposing a new approach to FCM regulation in the EU; key elements are improved compliance work by industry thanks to better enforcement and dedicated database of approved substances and materials
Rethink plastic's open letter to EU Commission
Rethink plastic NGO alliance sends open letter to EU Commission, asks for a ‘strong and harmonized EU legislation’ within EU Strategy on Plastics
EU commission calls for additional FCM testing
European Commission asks EU member states to carry out additional tests to determine prevalence of substance migration from food contact materials and articles; recommendation targets primary aromatic amines, bisphenols, plasticizers, and fluorinated compounds
European Commission introduces EDC subcategories and new hazard classes in CLP revision
Commission amends regulation on classification, labeling, and packaging (CLP) of chemicals and mixtures; endocrine disrupting chemicals now categorized into known or presumed and suspected endocrine disruptors; introduces four hazard classes from REACH
FPF comment: US EPA expansion of Safer Choice program
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comment to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the potential expansion of the agency’s Safer Choice and Design for Environment programs into new sectors; FPF encourages EPA to consider food contact materials; shares resources about chemicals of concern in food contact