EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) concludes that information supporting the current authorization of wood flour and fibres for use in plastic food contact materials is ‘insufficient’; criteria for future evaluations of plant materials for use as plastics additives address migration and toxicological evaluation of migrants
ECHA to publish 9000 REACH dossiers
ECHA grants over 9000 registration numbers, information to be published by the end of the year
New regulation on ceramics postponed
European Commission’s DG SANCO meets with food contact materials stakeholder group, discusses current issues
Walmart updates Recycling Playbook
Retailer releases updated version of playbook to support companies in setting their own goals for recyclable packaging, recycled content; provides information on optimizing, changing, or advancing packaging based on format and existing recycling infrastructure
EFSA working group updates in January and February 2020
Minutes from recent meetings of the EFSA CEP panel and working groups on BPA, FCMs, and recycling plastics published
Study links phthalates and lower cognitive ability in infants
New research study investigates phthalate levels in urine from pregnant women and cognitive abilities of 159 infants, find associations between high levels of phthalate exposure and slower information processing, especially in boys; determines that associations can be found much earlier than previously thought
UN report highlights impact of plastics on human rights
UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights issues report on the stages of the plastics cycle and their impacts on human rights; calls “the whole cycle of plastics… a global threat to human rights”
What should be included in UN Plastics Treaty negotiations?
International negotiators prepare for first meeting to negotiate the UN treaty to end plastic pollution; scientists, civil society organizations, and governmental bodies publish reports proposing suggestions for what and how to negotiate; many reports support including controls on chemical additives as part of the treaty
GRAS petitions: Trade secrets vs. public disclosure
Food Safety News argues that spotlight on GRAS notification process may shift line between trade secrets and public disclosure
Safety of food additives questioned
Knowledge gaps for 80% of food additives, including food contact substances, hinder proper safety assessment and may be a public health problem, finds new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts scientists