Study of PFAS concentrations in consumer products finds that US Environmental Protection Agency protocol likely does not “adequately capture PFAS embodied in consumer products”; also finds “large fraction” of surface and groundwaters exceed regulatory concentrations; “future PFAS environmental burden is likely underestimated”
Summary of latest EU events on FCMs
UK NGO CHEM Trust outlines EU Parliament investigation on FCM regulation, Food Packaging Forum workshop, Luxemburg FCM conference, EFSA public consultation on FCM opinion, fluorinated-free popcorn in Denmark
Microplastics are ‘everywhere’
U.S. radio station WBUR summarizes challenges and issues related to microplastics pollution
Walmart responds to increase in use of priority chemicals
US retailer reports 1% increase in footprint across its product assortment from 2017 to 2018; aims to achieve 10% reduction by 2022; plans to finish analysis and publish most recent data later this year
ECHA selects 162 substances for examination
ECHA screening shortlists 162 potentially hazardous substances for further scrutiny by EU Member States; list not publicly available
FDA under fire for food additives oversight
Four NGOs submitted regulatory comment to US FDA to highlight that process for overseeing food additives in US violates law in their opinion
German printing ink regulation progresses
Germany notifies EU Commission of new draft regulation for printed food contact materials; final decision not before October 6, 2016
Push for BPA warning labels in California
Consumer advocates call on Californians to make the State properly enforce warning label rules for canned foods and beverages containing BPA in the can linings
Nano guidance to be updated
ECHA updates four REACH guidance documents on nanomaterials
Generally Recognized As Secret
Natural Resources Defense Council releases new report on GRAS self-determinations and criticizes lack of public information, calls FDA and Congress to action