Jane Muncke from the Food Packaging Forum presents on chemicals of concern in food packaging as part of a webinar dedicated to «identifying chemicals and polymers of concern» organized by the United Nations Environment Programme in preparation for the upcoming third negotiating session for the UN Global Plastics Treaty
Cancer deaths at 8.2 million
Reuters reports on new International Agency for Research on Cancer report; finds breast cancer to increase sharply
Belgian plastics industry in the circular economy
Results from study find 54% increase in recycling of plastics in Belgium since 2006; identify that recycled plastics not fully used in new products; report provides tables and figures with mass flows of plastic waste sources and treatments
Unknowns in chemical exposure
Wall Street Journal reports on persistent chemicals from consumer products, uncertainties in exposure and toxicity
EFSA: Safety of 'Alimpet' and 'Texplast' processes
EFSA’s CEP Panel considers PET recycled through ‘Alimpet’ or ‘Texplast’ processes to be safe for use in food contact applications not involving heating in microwave or conventional ovens
Study finds metabolism- and endocrine-disrupting chemicals present in plastic food packaging can migrate
A recent study explores the diversity of chemicals migrating from food contact articles into food simulants; 73% of extractable chemicals also migrated to food simulants; only 2% could be matched to currently known plastic chemicals; all migrates activated nuclear receptors, may disrupt metabolism or the endocrine system; migrates from PUR, PVC and LDPE contained more chemicals than other tested polymers and were more toxic
Scientists detect microplastics in human veins, colon tissue, and urine
Small pilot study analyzes saphenous vein tissues from five individuals and detects 15 plastic particles/g tissue indicating transport of plastic particles within human tissue; review concludes more research needed to elucidate the potential carcinogenicity of micro- and nanoplastics; researchers find potential connection between colorectal cancer and microplastic exposure level; preliminary study report microplastic presence in four out of six urine samples 15 plastic particles/g of tissue
BPA recognized as human endocrine disruptor
ECHA Member State Committee identifies bisphenol A as a substance of very high concern because of its endocrine disrupting effects in humans, in addition to its reprotoxic properties
Implementing the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: The case of Food Contact Chemicals of Concern
EU phthalates restriction comes into force
REACH restriction limits concentration of the four phthalates DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and BBP in consumer articles; restriction does not apply to food contact materials