Researchers report cooking in non-stick Teflon cookware may lead to the release of thousands of micro- and nanoplastics; find 3 to 43 plastic particles prone to be released from Chinese polypropylene takeaway containers; detect around 1,500 microplastics/liter in Iranian bottled water; review points out that micro- and nanoplastic detection methods in food need validation and standardization
Commission decides against EU nano register
European Commission declines EU register for nanomaterials and confirms that new information requirements for nanomaterials under REACH will not be introduced before 2018
U.K. committee report on toxic chemicals
Parliamentary committee report calls for greater transparency of chemicals used in food packaging, recommends U.K.-wide ban on SVHCs in food contact materials, proposes government strategy to reduce PFAS exposure
Suggestion for EU FCM regulatory change
Koni Grob of the Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich publishes two articles proposing a new approach to FCM regulation in the EU; key elements are improved compliance work by industry thanks to better enforcement and dedicated database of approved substances and materials
Rethink plastic's open letter to EU Commission
Rethink plastic NGO alliance sends open letter to EU Commission, asks for a ‘strong and harmonized EU legislation’ within EU Strategy on Plastics
EU commission calls for additional FCM testing
European Commission asks EU member states to carry out additional tests to determine prevalence of substance migration from food contact materials and articles; recommendation targets primary aromatic amines, bisphenols, plasticizers, and fluorinated compounds
Microplastics in compost
New study finds microplastic particles in compost from supermarket and household waste; plastic fragments most likely remnants of food packaging; potential source of microplastic contamination in soil and freshwater
EU Commissioners responsible for plastics
Industry news provider reports on new EU commissioners responsible for duties affecting plastics
EFSA comments on misleading communication of BPA risks
Low health concern associated with BPA aggregate exposure was not acknowledged in communication materials to make them “accessible” to non-specialist audiences, EFSA claims
EC comments on EFSA’s communication of BPA risk assessment
DG SANTE informed CHEM Trust that communication on BPA risk assessment is EFSA’s responsibility, JRC works on EU regulation for non-plastic FCMs