European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) extends information submission deadline on two amines approved as additives in plastic food contact materials (FCMs); information on FCM No. 19 and 20 due by December 31, 2020
EFSA evaluates zinc oxide nanoparticles for use in FCMs
CEF Panel considers zinc oxide to be safe in nanoform, concerns exist over migration of soluble ionic zinc
DG SANCO meets FCM stakeholders
European Commission’s DG SANCO convenes food contact material (FCM) stakeholders, discloses modified working plan for 2014
Nanoparticles in food linked to cancer
Oral ingestion of titanium dioxide nanoparticles induces abnormal immune responses, preneoplastic lesions in the colon; scientists call for re-evaluation of risks from oral exposure to nanoparticles
EFSA: Acrylamide exposure from diet is of concern
EFSA publishes draft scientific opinion on acrylamide open for public consultation; concern from food contact material unclear
Chemical migration into coffee, canned vegetables, and Indian curd
Three research studies investigate the occurrence of chemicals in food packaging and migration into food; find average of 330 µg oligoesters migrating from cans per kg drained vegetables; report most extractable chemicals from low-density polyethylene Dahi curd packaging not included in India’s positive list; detect low levels of phthalic acid esters in coffee obtained from single-use capsules
EU technical expert group for FCMs: New meeting summary
DG SANTE’s technical expert group for FCMs discusses migration testing guidelines, 7th amendment to plastic FCM regulation, and EFSA opinion on safety assessment of FCMs
Bioassay-based analysis of chemicals in paper & cardboard
Scientific study evaluates presence of hazardous chemicals in methanolic extracts from paper and cardboard food contact materials (FCMs) using several bioassays; finds oxidative stress (52%), genotoxicity (100%), impacts on xenobiotic metabolism (74%), antiandrogenic (52%) and antioestrogenic effects (39%); recommends an effect-based approach for hazard identification of food contact chemicals
New study tests endocrine disrupting properties of Tritan™
New plastic Tritan™ shown to contain traces of BPA and benzylbutyl phthalate, no endocrine disrupting effects found for total migrate
Switzerland updates federal law on food contact materials and articles
Removes list of unevaluated substances used in packaging inks; updates positive lists of for packaging inks, plastics, and silicones; brings ceramic and glass regulations in alignment with EU