Soft drink companies have limited commitment to reducing single-use plastic bottles, increasing recycled content in PET bottles, considering PET bottles’ contribution to ocean pollution, according to new Greenpeace report
EC’s proposal for regulating printed FCMs
EU Commission publishes proposal for new regulatory approach for Union measure on printed FCMs, discussed during May 2017 meeting of working group on FCMs with Member States
European industry associations report latest recycling rates
On average, 80.2% of glass packaging collected for recycling in 2022 in the EU; Steel recycling rate reaches 80.5%; 70% recycling rate for paper and board in the UK in 2023; 40% recycling rate for plastics in the EU in 2021
Updated draft of German mineral oil ordinance
German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture proposes requiring use of a functional barrier in food contact materials containing recycled paper; exemptions can be granted by demonstrating migration below 0.5 mg MOAH/kg food or 0.15 mg MOAH/kg food simulant; comments accepted until November 18, 2020
Styrene concentrations in German and Italian refrigerated dairy products
Scientists assess styrene levels in polystyrene food packaging, migration into refrigerated dairy products, in 50% ethanol, as well as factors influencing migration; report styrene migration of 5 to 30 µg/kg food at the best before date; find food contact area, temperature and time rather than fat content influence styrene migration
Ways forward to improve polymer assessment and management
Critical review evaluates regulatory approaches of polymer assessment and management; identifies critical knowledge gaps by comparison with recent scientific findings; proposes policy options for safe and sustainable polymer use; suggest more transparency, standardized testing procedures, and improved understanding of environmental fate and hazards
EEB PFAS webinar series and overview report
European Environmental Bureau (EEB) hosts series of four webinars in September 2020 featuring presentations from academic experts on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; publishes overview report prioritizing fluorotelomer substances, their side-chain fluorinated polymers, fluorinated (poly)ethers
McDonald’s phases out PFAS
McDonald’s announces plan to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from all guest packaging materials globally by 2025
ZWE biomonitoring detects phthalates, bisphenols
Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) publishes results of analyzed urine samples from 52 European decision-makers and public figures; tests for 28 chemicals commonly used in single-use plastic food packaging, shows average of 20 detected in each person; calls for decision-makers to prioritize public exposure to food contact chemicals
2021 FPF Workshop: Proceedings available
9th annual Food Packaging Forum workshop brings stakeholders from different fields together to discuss the latest science, policy, and stakeholder collaboration across the field; presentation videos, slides, and summary articles now available