New scientific review points out shortcomings in biodegradability standards for plastics; lack of toxicity testing; no account for effects of plastic additives, microplastics formation
EFSA FCM working group: 3rd meeting
EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on food contact materials holds 3rd meeting; minutes now available online
Process to recycle polystyrene for food contact applications
Mechanical recycling process developed by Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS) passes set of tests to ensure removal of impurities; will be submitted to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for review
In vitro bioassays for FCMs
Austrian research institute for chemistry and technology holds information event on bioassays for food contact materials on March 8, 2017 in Vienna
NGO finds propyl paraben in food
Environmental Working Group detected direct and indirect food additive propyl paraben in nearly 50 US snack foods
New FPF report: Consumer attitudes towards nanotechnologies
New study investigates factors determining consumer acceptance of nanotechnology, the Food Packaging Forum reports
Melamine migration above EU limits in some children’s cups
Danish Consumer Council reports melamine migration from five of eight tested children’s cups are above legal limits; migration tests undertaken after cups were washed 20 times and filled with a hot drink to simulate use; melamine classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans in the EU
Civil society organizations introduce new certification program for reusable food packaging
Standard aims at improving chemical safety of reusable food contact articles and reducing plastic waste; involves rigorous testing and transparency of ingredients used in the packaging
Low dose BPA effects
Animal study at National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark finds low doses of BPA affect body weight and behavior in female rats, as well as mammary gland growth and sperm count in male rats
BPA health costs at $3 billion annually
New study concludes on thousands of preventable cases of childhood obesity and heart disease caused by BPA; economic savings estimated to outweigh costs of replacing BPA