7th meeting of EFSA’s Food Contact Materials Network takes place on November 6-7, 2019, in Parma, Italy; focus on plastics and microplastics, assessment of mixtures, prioritization strategies for non-harmonized FCMs
EFSA: Safety assessment alkyl ester polymer
Published safety assessment finds co-polymer containing modified C10-16 alkyl esters safe for use in food contact plastics under set conditions
EFSA safety assessment of PVC additive
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel publishes safety assessment of di(m-2,20,200-nitrilotris(ethanol)-diperchlorato)dinatrium as a thermal stabilizer additive up 0.15% by weight in rigid reusable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water bottles
EDC guidance document published
EFSA and ECHA release pre-publication version of guidance for implementation of criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; guidance applies to biocides from June 7, 2018 and to pesticides from November 10, 2018
State of the science and regulation – microplastics and nanoplastics
California State Policy Evidence Consortium and DG Environment publish reports on the abundance, health effects and (potential) regulations on microplastics and nanoplastics, respectively; first finds most regulations come from California or EU and concern banning microbeads or mandating more research; second argues against a lower size cutoff of nanoplastics since the smaller the plastic particles, the more likely they can cross biological membranes
Denmark: EFSA’s recommended safe level for BPA is too high
Denmark’s National Food Institute maintains its previous risk assessment of BPA is correct
EFSA authorizes iron-based oxygen absorbers for food contact
European Food Safety Authority publishes scientific opinion on oxygen scavenging active packaging material
Opinion: EFSA opinion on BPA not scientifically robust
NGO suggests guidance for the evaluation of peer-reviewed articles, criticizes scientific robustness of EFSA’s scientific opinions
CLARITY-BPA study finds clear non-monotonicity
Researchers publish study identifying non-monotonic effects on mammary gland development across all ages of rats; finds causal relationship between BPA exposure and effects observed, results counter earlier statements that effects are rather due to random events
EFSA working group on phthalates: 2nd meeting
EFSA’s CEF Panel working group on phthalates reassesses safety of DBP, BBP and DEHP for food contact plastics; updated meeting minutes now available online