US based and Indonesia based NGOs publish report on PFAS in popcorn bags; all 29 samples tested contained at least one PFAS
Independent panel recommends considerable changes to US FDA
Reagan-Udall Foundation publishes independent evaluation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) human foods program; provides 32 recommendations concerning agency culture, structure, resources, and authorities
Coca-Cola to use more rPET
Coca-Cola European Partners launches new sustainable packaging strategy in the UK; aims to increase content of recycled PET in bottles, promote recycling
Coca-Cola to continue using plastic bottles
Company head of sustainability speaks at World Economic Forum; says customers like plastic packaging, instead plans to increase bottle recycling by 2030
Public consultation on bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics
European Commission (EC) opens a public comment period on biobased, biodegradable, and compostable plastics; consultation will advise EC during development of new policies for these plastics; three areas of particular focus: sustainability of feedstocks, verification of biodegradation claims, and “widespread confusion” among consumers on terms and proper disposal routes; comment period open until March 15, 2022
Review on food contamination
Scientific article summarizes sources of chemical contamination during food production, transport, storage, and processing
Comment on EU CLP revision and proposed SVHCs
European Commission publishes draft amendment to the EU’s Classification, Labeling, and Packaging Regulation (CLP); adds classification of endocrine disrupting chemicals and adopts hazard classes from REACH; comment period until October 18, 2022; European Chemicals Agency proposes classifying 9 chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) including bisphenol S and melamine; comment period until October 17, 2022
Tesco to exclude brands with non-recyclable packaging
UK supermarket chain announces it will reserve right to not list brands with too much non-recyclable packaging starting in 2020; non-recyclable materials in own brands to be eliminated
Non-BPA cans
Food company ConAgra removes BPA from its cans; non-profit organizations raise concern over safety of BPA-replacements and ask for removal of BPA from all food packaging
ECHA proposes not approving 4 silver compounds in FCMs
European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) announces opinion not approving silver compounds for application in food contact materials (FCMs); includes silver zinc zeolite, silver zeolite, silver copper zeolite, silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate; finds risk unacceptable for human health; next meeting scheduled in June 2021