UK-based organization publishes roadmap to reducing food waste and single-use plastic packaging; targets selling 50% of fruits and vegetables loose by 2030; aims to support retailers and other stakeholders in reaching UK Plastics Pact targets
EU initiative for more efficient and effective chemical data sharing
European Commission opens comment period on a plan to increase data transparency and data sharing about chemicals between EU institutions, Member States, and the public; goal to increase harmonization and sharing of information among the more than 40 chemical “legislative instruments” within the EU; comment period open until August 16, 2022
‘PFAS-free’ guides for restaurants and groceries
US NGO Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families releases guides on eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from food packaging used by fast-food restaurants and grocery chains
Guide for assessing health risks
German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes guideline for assessment of health risks, outlining adopted procedures; transparency on risk assessment is crucial component of risk communication
US state policies on PFAS in food contact, Q3 and Q4 2023
Maine and Minnesota consult on draft policies concerning bans or reporting requirements on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials and articles; California Attorney General warns companies of penalties for selling or failing to disclose PFAS-containing food packaging and cookware; Nevada governor vetoes PFAS bill, state senator plans to reintroduce bill in 2024
Thailand proposes draft regulation for paper FCMs
Thailand publishes draft regulation for chemicals in paper food contact materials (FCMs), affects non-colored paper and board containers; limits concentrations of heavy metals, phthalates, bisphenol A and benzophenone; draft open for consultation until May 11, 2021
China approves expanded usage for two FCMs
China sets new limits for 2 food contact materials; polyethylene can be added at 0.3% to polyoxymethylene (POM); carboxy styrene-butadiene latex can be added to pressure-sensitive adhesives used in indirect food contact
Analyzing NIAS in harmonized and non-harmonized FCMs
International Life Sciences Institute Europe publishes document on analytical methods and challenges in identifying non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); focus on non-harmonized food contact materials (FCMs) including silicones, inks, adhesives; discusses strengths and limitations of various methods; includes proposal on communication along the supply chain
ECHA tasked with defining hazard classes for CLP regulation
European Commission, following its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, tasks ECHA with defining hazard classes for revision of the classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) regulation; to include persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) chemicals, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and various classifications of toxicity
Global Food Contact Conference: NIAS evaluation in recycled packaging
2021 Smithers Pira conference covers global developments in food contact regulations and materials including a session on the risk assessment of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); Marco Zhong outlines efforts China is taking to assess NIAS in recycled and biodegradable materials for safe food contact application; Marinella Vitulli focuses on applied testing schemes for NIAS identification, stresses that the right analytical approach is key