Stefan Merkel presents recent work of German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR); Lisa Zimmermann discusses bioassay-based toxicity assessment of conventional plastics, bioplastics, and plant-based materials; Andrew Turner emphasizes presence of toxic brominated flame retardants in recycled plastics, uses of hazardous heavy metals in colored decorations applied to glass articles
Guide for assessing health risks
German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes guideline for assessment of health risks, outlining adopted procedures; transparency on risk assessment is crucial component of risk communication
Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)
Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb) To help gather and share available information on food contact chemicals (FCCs) used in the manufacture of food contact materials and articles, the Food Packaging Forum has developed a freely available global database of FCCs About the database The Food Contact Chemicals database (FCCdb) contains an extensive set of intentionally added food contact chemicals (FCCs), with hazard and regulatory information included where available. Its scope is global. The FCCdb compiles information from 67 lists of […]
Coronavirus detected on food packaging
Packaging of frozen food tested positive for coronavirus in Chinese cities; no evidence of new infections after large-scale testing campaign; experts consider risk of transmission via food and packaging to be low
New scientific evidence in the BPA controversy
Under the tongue BPA exposure leads to uptake into the blood via transfer through mouth mucosa skin
WSJ opinion article: BPA scare looks like a false alarm
Opinion article in The Wall Street Journal calls for reallocation of resources for BPA studies to more productive projects
Modern science to inform regulation of food contact materials in the circular economy
The 2016 annual Food Packaging Forum (FPF) workshop took a closer look at “Modern science to inform regulation of food contact materials in the circular economy.” Our fourth workshop followed the unique concept of previous FPF workshops in its cross-thematic, cross-stakeholder approach. We brought together experts from different perspectives and backgrounds—from academic scientist to business decision maker, from regulator to retailer, from consumer advocate to food manufacturer. FPF workshops are one of a kind, because we create the optimal environment for […]
Drafting of the international plastics treaty now underway
First meeting to draft the international plastics treaty in Dakar, Senegal taking place from May 30 to June 1, 2022 with representatives from government, industry, and civil society; technical briefing on May 29, 2022 shares information on the relationship between plastics, chemical exposure, and human health
Another step towards a UN plastics treaty
Peru and Rwanda introduce a draft resolution to negotiate a global plastic pollution treaty at the inaugural United Nations Ministerial Conference on marine litter and plastic pollution; 33 countries sign on as co-sponsors; more than 80 other nations support a UN resolution on plastics
Microplastics measured in human blood and mouse brains
First human biomonitoring study encounters plastic particles of four different polymer types in human blood; in vivo study reports polystyrene nanoparticles pass blood-brain barrier and induce neurotoxicity in mice; review summarizes plastic particle and titanium dioxide impacts on human gut epithelial integrity, gut homeostasis, and intestinal inflammation