Scientists suggest increased perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) blood levels are consequence of early menopause and kidney disease, not cause
NGO: Incinerators challenge waste management
European Environmental Bureau reports on high per capita waste generation, funding of incinerators inhibiting waste prevention and recycling
Kraft Heinz urged to phase out phthalates
Over 30 organizations sign letter asking international foods manufacturer to ban phthalates from its packaging and processing equipment, work with suppliers to phase out phthalates from upstream sources
California adds BPA to list of reproductive toxicants
California scientific expert panel decided to add BPA to the list of chemicals known to cause reproductive harm, NRDC applauds while ACC disagrees
Interactive webinar on bio-based recyclable packaging
REFUCOAT project to hold two-day online event to present and discuss results and learnings; research aims to develop active coatings in films and trays as alternatives to non-renewable packaging materials; registration free and open
Discussion on FCMs containing bamboo
EU Commission Working Group identifies increasing number of plastic food contact materials containing natural additives such as bamboo or corn; cautions business operators regarding misleading advertising, requirement that only authorized substances should be used in plastic layers
Consultation on EU Product Policy Framework
EU Commission holds public consultation on ‘Product Policy Framework contributing to the Circular Economy’; responses accepted until January 24, 2019
Food packaging chemicals in ToxCast
Scientists use ToxCast data to prioritize food-relevant chemicals for safety testing; identify obesity- and diabetes-related chemicals, and chemicals affecting growth and development; multiple food contact chemicals found to be active in ToxCast assays
EU starts evaluation of FCM regulation: 1st stakeholder event
Evaluation of the European FCM regulation started with a stakeholder workshop in Brussels; purpose of the 12-month evaluation process is to identify how FCM regulation performs in practice; participants see urgent need for improvements; all stakeholder input is welcome
Properties of rPET-containing bottles
Scientists examine effects of recycled PET (rPET) on bottles’ properties, propose generic model to calculate acceptable rPET content for different scenarios; bottles from mono-collection systems have less particle contamination, more favorable optical properties, lower accumulation of contaminants, and therefore recommended to allow higher recycled content