International retailer issues recall for all “Troligtvis” travel mugs made in India; recent testing finds levels of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that exceed company’s set limits; phthalates have been prohibited in all IKEA food contact articles for years
Managing chemicals in plastic packaging
Research project demonstrates lack of transparency on chemicals in plastic packaging, identifies phthalates as urgent substitution candidates; non-intentionally added substances pose unique assessment challenges
Unwanted chemicals in processed food
Washington Post reports on study linking high fast food consumption to increased urinary phthalate levels, discusses chemical contamination of highly processed and packaged foods
Industry opposes update of phthalate authorization
European Plasticisers deems inclusion of endocrine disrupting properties of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP in Authorization List ‘unnecessary overregulation’ that will put ‘excessive burdens’ on industry
DEHP infant exposure may exceed safe levels
New study reviews literature on phthalate exposure and diet, estimates infant exposure to DEHP to exceed US EPA’s reference dose
New EU project on EDC alternatives
LIFE-EDESIA project to investigate alternatives to phthalates, bisphenols and parabens; kick-off meeting in October 2013
Avoiding drinking water from garden hoses
CBC news advises against drinking water from garden hoses; may leach phthalates, BPA & lead above drinking water standards
Migration of substances of very high concern
New scientific study by the FPF summarizes use and migration of substances of very high concern in food contact materials; 5 out of 10 SVHCs regularly detected to migrate in food
Danish phthalate ban dropped
European Commission estimates Danish phthalate ban to contradict EU rules, Danish Minister of the Environment drops ban for the time being
Q&A Twitter session on plastics
Sense about Science holds Q&A on plastics packaging on Twitter, answers by Alan Boobis from the Imperial College London and an industry representative