8th annual Food Packaging Forum workshop focuses on linking policy-making with scientific research to improve the safety of food contact materials; video recordings, presentation slides, and summary articles now available online
October 29, 2020
FPF Workshop 2020: Hazardous chemicals in FCMs
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
September 21, 2020
BfR recommends lowering EU limits on heavy metals
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes position statement on specific migration limits for lead, cadmium, and cobalt from ceramic food contact materials; derives recommended limits up to 400 times lower than values allowed by current directive
August 5, 2020
Colombia extends heavy metal regulation in glass, ceramics
Emergency resolution originally set to expire in July 2020 extended for six months until January 16, 2021; sets migration limits for lead and cadmium from ceramic and glass food contact materials into food
July 29, 2020
Ecuador to revise regulation on food contact ceramics
Notification to World Trade Organization (WTO) sets specific migration limits for cadmium and lead from ceramic articles; open for comments until August 6, 2020, set to come into force 6 months later
April 7, 2020
Malaysia sets metal migration limits for ceramics
Notification to World Trade Organization (WTO) expands regulations to cover ceramic cooking ware, sets migration limits of 0.5 mg/L for lead and 0.05 mg/L for cadmium
April 3, 2020
Israel enforces lead and cadmium limits
Notification sent to World Trade Organization informs of imposing mandatory limits for lead and cadmium in glass or porcelain enameled metalware food contact materials
January 14, 2020
Colombia regulates heavy metals in glass, ceramics
Colombian health ministry publishes emergency technical regulation setting migration limits for lead and cadmium in food contact glass and ceramics; new limits effective until July 2020
September 11, 2019
California adjusts metal limits in recycled glass
State legislative bodies pass bill raising combined limit of four heavy metals in recycled glass packaging from 100 to 200 ppm temporarily; State’s governor vetoes bill, permitted levels set to remain at 100 ppm