EU Member States support proposal to restrict DEHP, DBP, DIBP, BBP in consumer articles; restriction will not cover food contact materials
Hazard assessment of FCM extracts
Scientists review studies on the use of select bioassays to assess hazard of food contact materials; bioassays considered a useful addition to targeted chemical analysis, especially in the assessment of finished materials and articles
UK retailer to phase out non-recyclable plastics by 2019
UK supermarket chain Tesco aims to ban non-recyclable plastic packaging by 2019, move towards closed loop system
MEPs propose to ban most hazardous plastics by 2020
European Parliament passes resolution on plastic waste, proposes to phase out landfilling, plastic bags and most hazardous additives by 2020
Studies examine bio-based active packaging and drivers to mitigate pollution
Literature review explores opportunities of bio-based active materials in food packaging applications and the circular economy; demonstrates high research interest in the topic over last 20 years; finds agro-industrial waste as promising, renewable, and environmentally friendly resource for bio-based materials; study finds circular economy to be the focus of perspective articles to mitigate plastic pollution but mismatch with psychosocial research
FPF Workshop 2018: Assessing the safety of food packaging
Experts identify challenges for risk assessment and management of food contact chemicals, present toxicity tests and analytical tools for safer food packaging
EU Council adopts single-use plastic bans
European Council formally adopts new rules on single-use plastics and recycling targets; directive completes final step before becoming law; England to ban plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds from April 2020
BPA and analogues in paper and board
Scientists measure BPA and its analogues BPAF, BPB, BPE, BPF, BPS in virgin and recycled paper/board products; detect all but BPAF and BPB; BPA and BPS highest in recycled products, BPF and BPE content comparable
Oligomers – presence in FCMs and food, toxicity, challenges
Review summarizes analysis and presence of oligomers in food contact materials (FCMs) made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polystyrene (PS) including challenges; study suggests ionic strength may influence migration of polyamide (PA) oligomers from PA FCMs
California considers policy on PFAS in food packaging
US state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) holds virtual workshop to collect input from stakeholders on use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plant fiber-based food packaging; suggests it could decide to limit scope of products considered in upcoming policy, draws criticism from advocacy groups