Review describes how cost and disease burden of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can be reduced by policy actions informed by science; recommended solutions include updating testing to account for mixture, cumulative exposure, effects occurring later life; second review summarizes studies linking EDC exposure with immunological and metabolic impacts during pregnancy
BPA-free can coatings progressing slowly
Developing non-BPA can coatings challenges manufacturers; lower-production-volume raw materials result in higher cost; lower performance reduces shelf-life
Overview of use, migration, and hazards of PFAS in food contact materials
Peer-reviewed study provides overview of 68 PFAS in food packaging and other food contact articles; majority of detected PFAS not found in regulatory or industry inventories; PFAS data of FCCmigex dashboard updated
Scientists propose and apply NIAS identification approaches
Review provides guidance to select analytical technique for non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) identification and quantification in food contact materials (FCMs); scientific studies analyze NIAS migrating from FCMs; develop model to predict collision cross-section values to identify NIAS in FCMs; detect polyethylene terephthalate (PET) oligomers in post-mortem blood samples
BPS and other color developers migrate from food labels into food
Scientists analyze 140 Canadian samples of food packaging and thermal labels; first to demonstrate that bisphenol S (BPS) and alternative chemicals found in food labels migrate through packaging materials into food; study assesses levels of BPS and other bisphenols in 79 canned Turkish foods; detect BPS in six samples in levels up to 0.036 mg/kg food
EPR regulations expanded in Canada and US
Canadian province of Ontario expands extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for paper packaging from covering half of recycling cost to full cost by 2023; adds single-use food packaging to program; legislatures in US states of Maine and Oregon pass EPR legislation that includes food packaging; governors of both states need to sign for bills to become law
PFAS alternatives for paper food packaging
Article in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety discusses alternatives for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in paper food packaging; considers lamination with waxes and polymer films, alternative surface sizing and coatings; views finding cost-effective, fully biodegradable, and environmentally friendly alternatives challenging
UV-328 listed as POP under the Stockholm Convention
11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention lists UV absorber as Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP); first non-halogenated POP under the Convention; also listing of flame retardant dechlorane plus and pesticide methoxychlor in Annex A
Recent studies on EDCs and cardiovascular health
Emerging evidence and systematic analyses highlight adverse effects of bisphenols and phthalates on cardiovascular health; meta-analysis of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2003-2016 finds significant association of cardiovascular disease with bisphenol A; prenatal exposure particularly detrimental; calls for more mechanistic research, evaluation of cardiovascular safety profiles for substitution chemicals
PFAS research snapshot Q4 2023: presence, migration, health concerns, and regrettable substitution
Scientists detect two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plastic food storage bags; study assesses PFAS in 119 single-use food packaging and tableware samples from around the world and detectes PFAS in 54%; two reviews raise awareness of PFAS impact on human liver health and safety issues connected with the PFAS substitutes – polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs); scientist calls for more research to assess combined environmental effect of microplastics and PFAS