European Commission publishes draft regulation adding substances recently classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR), includes four food contact chemicals; draft open for public consultation until May 25, 2020
French order on food contact rubber
France publishes new Order on food contact rubber and pacifiers for infants and toddlers; updates lists of authorized substances, their specifications, restrictions; law enters into force on July 1, 2021
Migration from bamboo-containing plastic FCMs
Scientists detect dozens of volatile and non-volatile substances migrating from ‘bamboo’ food packaging; melamine migration exceeding specific migration limit; conclude bamboo-melamine articles ‘a risk to consumer’s health,’ their promotion as biodegradable ‘a fraud to consumers’
Nanoparticles may lead to poor digestion
News channel reports on nanomaterial exposure from packaged foods; may lead to poor digestion or diarrhea; nanoparticles not removed in waste water treatment plants
Risk assessment of EDCs: Exposure route questioned
Researchers publish review discussing oral dosing via gavage for risk assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals; criticize human risk assessment requirements for relevant exposure route
Plastic tea bags release billions of particles
Researchers measure micro- and nanoplastics released from plastic tea bags during brewing; find over 14 billion particles released per bag, record dose-dependent behavioral and developmental effects on daphnia
Potential cardiac toxicity of BPS
New study links bisphenol S exposure to irregular heartbeats in female rats
Responsibility of (bio)plastics industry
13th annual European Bioplastics conference discusses impacts of plastics pollution, elements of EU circular economy package, food contact regulations, bioplastics market development, life cycle assessment, new building blocks
Chemical co-exposure increases cancer risk
Epoch Times reports on a study showing interactive toxic effect of arsenic and environmental estrogens, co-exposure increases cancer risks compared to single chemical exposure
Children’s exposure to EDCs
New study finds BPA, nonylphenol, phthalates, and parabens in American children’s urine; call for further research on EDC’s role in pediatric hormonal disorders