Zero Waste Europe and Eunomia investigate the circularity of single-use container glass in Germany, France, the UK and US; Germany has the highest collection rates for glass and the highest proportion of recycled glass in containers; US is the lowest due to lack of collection facilities and mixed collection of glass with other packaging types; collecting glass separately and by color is the most effective way to increase circularity
Food Contact Materials: A road map to improved safety testing
Jane Muncke form the Food Packaging Forum talks about the new study, “A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing.” The study proposes a concept for improved testing of food contact materials and the chemicals used to make those materials.
OECD report on PFAS alternatives for food packaging
Report by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) investigates market availability and use of alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in paper and board coatings; finds non-fluorinated alternatives available and effective, market uptake primarily limited by increase in price
2022 FPF Workshop: From ideas to action
In the afternoon of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss changing narratives to make information actionable, share behind-the-scenes of a reuse system running for over 80 years; panels discuss visions, obstacles for a sustainable food system
Studies highlight presence of antioxidants in Chinese food contact materials
Recent studies explore the presence and migration of diverse synthetic antioxidants in Chinese food contact materials (FCMs); both phosphite antioxidants and synthetic phenolic antioxidants are commonly found; typically, FCMs contain several mg of synthetic antioxidants per kg FCM and may be the primary source of exposure to synthetic antioxidants; some commonly found antioxidants are suspected endocrine disruptors
Database sheds light on thousands of chemicals in food contact materials
Peer-reviewed study and freely available interactive tool provides systematic overview of food contact chemicals measured in migrates and extracts of food contact materials and articles
VZBV finds consumers are confused about food contact materials
Market research from German consumer organization Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (VZBV) finds consumers are concerned about food packaging safety but have little understanding of chemicals in packaging; consumers assume all food contact materials and their components have been tested for safety
Microplastics impacts on the reproductive system and offspring
Scientists report human-relevant polystyrene (PS) microplastic concentrations change mice placental metabolism; show nanoplastics have variable effects on placental enzymes using simulations; find pre- and postnatal PS microplastic exposure affects male mice testis development and fertility; recommend future research to analyze multigenerational effects
Researchers develop inexpensive edible coating for fruits
Indian National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute publishes study showing edible composite coating made from wheat straw extends shelf life of royal delicious apples over 30-day period without refrigeration; seen as inexpensive solution without need for post-harvest processing and cold storage
Microplastics in placentas: occurrence, sources, and effects
Three studies on microplastics and the human placenta; demonstrate particle presence in several intracellular compartments of placentas for the first time; assume breastfeeding and plastic toy usage as microplastic exposure sources to lactating infants; associate placental plastics with reduced fetal growth