Update: NGOs challenge final GRAS rule

U.S. court rules against FDA’s request to dismiss NGO-lawsuit on ‘generally recognized as safe’ rule

South Korea to prohibit BPA and phthalates in FCMs for children

South Korea notifies WTO of intended ban on bisphenol A, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate in food contact materials for infants and young children

German packaging register online

Central German packaging register ‘LUCID’ launched; registration of packaged goods possible until January 1, 2019, when new German packaging law enters into force

Push to fully ban PFASs in the U.S.

Hearing at U.S. Congress discusses safe levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water and possible ban on the chemicals’ manufacture and use

Chemicals in plastics leaching into food

Article in Vox summarizes health concerns related to chemicals in plastic food packaging, discuss U.S. regulatory system, recommend actions to limit exposure

EU Parliament discusses plastics strategy and directive

European Parliament to vote on EU Commission’s plastics strategy on September 13, 2018; vote on single-use plastics directive planned for October 2018

Stakeholder workshop on FCM evaluation

DG SANTE holds first stakeholder meeting on evaluation of EU FCM legislation, September 24, 2018, in Brussels; meeting agenda, background information online; webstream available

REACH data insufficient to classify carcinogens and mutagens

RIVM scientists find data required by REACH to be insufficient for classifying category 1B carcinogens and mutagens according to criteria set by Classification, Labeling and Packaging legislation

Regulatory identification of BPA as endocrine disruptor

Special issue of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology addresses regulatory identification of bisphenol A as endocrine disruptor, summarizes evidence for endocrine-mediated adverse effects on estrous cycle, mammary gland development, neurobehavior, metabolism

2019 ILSI NA workshop on FCMs

ILSI North America hosts international conference on scientific advances and challenges in safety evaluation of food packaging materials, April 2-3, 2019; deadline for submitting abstracts is September 14, 2018; registration now open