Food Packging Forum presentation at AIMPLAS okPlast conference provides overview of chemical safety aspects of commonly used plastics relevant for the circular economy
FPF comments on UN food systems summit strategy paper
Food Packaging Forum director comments on report outlining food packaging opportunities for the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit; suggests including plastic pollution as a food systems issue for discussion
FPF comments on EFSA’s phthalates prioritization strategy
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) finds that the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) planned approach lacks clear recommendation for removing known hazardous chemicals from food contact materials; prioritization of food contact chemicals of concern should be based on hazard properties in alignment with the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
EU adopts Zero Pollution Action Plan
European Commission announces adoption of action plan towards zero pollution for air, water, and soil; includes targets to by 2030 reduce plastic litter at sea by 50%, microplastics release into environment by 30%, residual municipal solid waste by 50%; will revise air and water quality standards, review majority of EU waste laws, increase enforcement
U.S. government publishes strategy to combat plastic pollution
White House releases plan to reduce impacts of plastic across the entire lifecycle; aims to eliminate single-use plastic in federal food service by 2027, and in all federal operations by 2045
Plastic packaging: A risk to food companies?
New report of NGO ClientEarth explores risks of single-use plastic packaging; warns investors that food companies and supermarkets neglecting plastic pollution-related risk to face reputational damage and legal action
ECHA biocides committee adopts 13 opinions
Opinions cover five active substances, hydrogen peroxide approved under product-type 4 as food and feed area disinfectant
EFSA evaluates glass fiber sizing component for FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyl]trimethoxy silane safe for making glass-fiber-reinforced plastic food contact materials under certain conditions
Report compares US state recycling rates
Ball Corporation commissioned report compares recycling rates across US states for rigid plastics, glass, aluminum and steel cans, and cardboard for 2018; best overall recycling rates found for Maine (72%); results based on multiple data sources including US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, municipalities, waste processors; finds high recycling rates correlate with presence of deposit return systems, curb recycling, extended producer responsibility schemes
MEPs criticize delay in European EDC policy
Members of European Parliament send letter criticizing slow advances on EDCs policy to European Commission president Barroso