Discussions at EU Commission stakeholder event call for harmonized regulation of other food contact materials; REACH proposed as potential data source; concerns expressed regarding proposed ‘one-in, one-out’ approach for new laws within incoming Commission
Workshop to support enforcement of EU FCM regulation
Article summarizes objectives and proceedings summary of a workshop series taking place in September 2021 helping EU agencies to strengthen enforcement of compliance work for food contact materials (FCMs) in Europe; 84 participants compile toolbox guiding enforcement agencies’
NIAS in polypropylene films
Scientists study migration from food packaging films made of polypropylene; 74 compounds identified, 76% of them NIAS; 35% of samples show migration exceeding either SML or Cramer class-based recommendations
Reviews examine biobased polymers
Several recent reviews examine the value chain of biobased polymers; discuss clarification of terms such as biobased, degradable, biodegradable, and compostable; define “biotechnological recycling (bio-recycling)” as the use of enzymes and microorganisms in a technological setting to biodegrade polymers; three biodegradable polymers assessed in marine field trials
UN committee recommends global ban of UV-328
18th meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Review Committee recommends global elimination of the UV stabilizer known as UV-328 under the Stockholm Convention; time limited exemptions proposed for some current uses; Convention will review the proposal for finalization in May 2023
EU committee against EDC thresholds, calls for bans in FCMs
European Committee of the Regions (CoR) publishes resolution on European Green Deal; advocates against setting safe threshold levels for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), calls for a ban on bisphenols and phthalates in all food contact materials (FCMs)
Opinion: European Commission running behind on EDCs
Consumer groups urge European Commission to act on endocrine disruptors
Endocrine-active chemicals in baby bottles
Scientists test 65 chemicals migrating from ‘BPA-free’ baby bottles in a panel of in vitro assays for effects on seven receptors; 12 chemicals show no activity, 53 activate or inhibit at least one of the tested receptors
Commission opens call for biochemical research
European Commission launches new research partnership, first call for research into bio-based materials
Independent panel recommends considerable changes to US FDA
Reagan-Udall Foundation publishes independent evaluation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) human foods program; provides 32 recommendations concerning agency culture, structure, resources, and authorities