Smithers conference covers global developments in food contact regulations and materials; speakers on day one review recent and upcoming changes to food packaging regulations in the US, Canada, and the South American trade bloc Mercosur
April 1, 2022
US EPA removes PFAS from Safer Choice Program
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removes the last two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the agency’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List; Safer Choice Program products to be PFAS-free by March 2023; issues letter to handlers of fluorinated polyolefin containers raising awareness for presence of unintended PFAS that may violate Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
March 29, 2022
PFAS testing prompts packaging changes from US retailers, restaurants
Consumer Reports tests 118 food packaging products from 24 US fast food and grocery chains; finds PFAS in over half of the products; nearly one third of packaging products contain over 20 ppm and 22 over 100 ppm organic fluorine; several brands commit or re-commit to removing intentionally added PFAS from their packaging
March 17, 2022
New York Governor proposes stricter limits on chemicals in packaging
New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposes limiting PFAS, heavy metals, and phthalates in all packaging to 100 ppm by weight by 2024; also urges extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging; at least six other states considering packaging EPR legislation; state-owned or contracted foodservice facilities in California must now use food packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable
March 11, 2022
FPF comments on integration of essential use concept
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) provides comments following a European Commission stakeholder consultation workshop on the essential use concept (ESU); finds integration of an ESU in EU’s food contact materials (FCM) regulation increases FCM safety by allowing easier and more efficient management of harmful chemicals; recommends integrating ESU into EU FCM regulations during current revision process
February 24, 2022
EU Court: GenX chemicals rightfully labelled as SVHCs
European Court of Justice confirms the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is correct to classify a group of GenX chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHC); chemical company Chemours has two months to consider appealing the verdict
February 18, 2022
PFAS alternatives have incomplete hazard profiles, says OECD
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports replacements for long-chain PFAS in paper and board food packaging have little or no available hazard information; examines 58 long-chain PFAS replacements: 10 have been formally reviewed by governmental authorities, 26 by industry, 18 have no hazard assessments; Environmental Health News reports US states to consider over 200 PFAS bills in 2022
January 19, 2022
Maine publishes food contact chemicals of concern list, postpones PFAS ban
US state of Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) publishes food packaging chemicals of high concern list; mandated by state legislation and limited to 10 chemicals; DEP postpones ban on PFAS in food packaging originally meant to begin in 2022; phthalate ban went into effect January 1, 2022
December 22, 2021
Reviews discuss health hazards of plastics including PFAS
Medical professionals elaborate on health hazards connected with plastic production, use, and waste; give options to reduce impacts on humans and the planet; scientists summarize current knowledge on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurrence and migration from food packaging and microplastics
December 16, 2021
ECHA committees support restricting C6 PFAS and related substances
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis adopt final opinions supporting Germany’s proposal to restrict the six-carbon chain (C6) undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts, and related substances; restriction on this per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) specifically targets its use in food contact materials
