EFSA CEP Panel updates from July to October 2021

Minutes available from recent meetings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) working groups on food contact materials (FCMs), bisphenol A (BPA), recycling plastics, phthalates, and extraction solvents

EFSA: Scientific Opinion on the impact of NMDR on risk assessment

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes opinion on the impact of non-monotonic dose responses (NMDRs) on human health risk assessment; if NMDR may be present, suggests further testing at the low end of the dose-response curve; recommends developing internationally agreed guidance and harmonized frameworks for ‘identifying and addressing’ NMDRs during risk assessments

EFSA updates guidance on nanomaterials in the food chain

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) releases guidance documents on the technical requirements to establish the presence of small particles in food products, and how to perform risk assessments of nanomaterials in the food chain; includes migration of particles from food contact materials; agency reports on outcomes from the public consultation period

EFSA working group updates from March to July 2021

Minutes from recent meetings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel and working groups on food contact materials (FCMs), bisphenol A (BPA), recycling plastics, and phthalates

EFSA seeks comments on chemical mixtures research and prioritization

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announces public consultation period concerning draft on “scientific criteria for grouping chemicals into assessment groups for human risk assessment” of chemical mixtures; particular focus on chemicals related to food and feed safety; seeking feedback from experts in chemical risk assessment, organizations and people in the field of chemicals mixtures and food safety; comment period ends July 10, 2021

EFSA determines titanium dioxide not safe as food additive

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) releases new assessment of titanium dioxide as a food additive, could not rule out genotoxicity; change in opinion from last assessment in 2016; announcement does not affect food contact materials

EFSA guide on approval of substances in plastic FCMs

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes administrative guide on submitting applications for approval of substances to be used in plastic food contact materials (FCMs); describes procedures, timelines for handling applications; will be updated as necessary

EFSA guide on applications for active packaging

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes administrative guide on how to submit applications for new active, intelligent materials and articles intended for food contact; describes procedures, timelines for handling applications; will be updated as necessary

EFSA guide on applications for plastics recycling processes

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes administrative guide on how to submit applications for new plastic recycling processes for products intended for food contact; describes procedures, timelines for handling applications; will be updated as necessary

EFSA updates HBCDDs risk assessment

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes update on risk assessment of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs); results support conclusion that dietary exposure in EU not a health concern except for breastfed children; panel will consider mixture approach once risk assessments of all groups of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) updated