European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) presentations provide guidance on small particles in food and feed applications (i) evaluating the potential presence of particles in ‘conventional’ materials and (ii) how to perform nano-specific risk assessment; stakeholders share experience and discuss practices to implement guidance cost-effectively
Consensus on definition of low dose hypothesis needed
Summary article of 2012 Berlin low dose workshop shares workshop proceedings, consensus and disagreements, and shows proposed next steps required to advance risk assessment of EDCs
Digital platform tracks recycled plastics
Industry association launches online platform to support plastic converter industry in tracking use of recycled polymers in products; aims to expand to more EU languages, add additional modules
Denmark limits fluorocarbons in food packaging
Danish Minister of the Environment and Food recommends lowered limit for fluorocarbons in food contact materials
Plastic chemicals affect children’s health
Two new scientific studies making headlines, one linking BPA to childhood obesity, the other links the phthalate DEHP to insulin resistance
Photoinitiators in FCMs
New in-depth review article discusses photoinitiators used in UV inks applied to FCMs, migration into food covered
Study evaluates migration of silver nanoparticles from FCMs
Ionic silver but no silver nanoparticles migrated from FCMs into food simulants
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
Olive leaf polyphenols may be effective against BPA-induced toxicity
Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves may protect from BPA-induced toxic effects in livers and kidneys
Report envisions smart supermarkets with less packaging
Greenpeace publishes report presenting alternative technologies and approaches to remove single-use packaging from grocery stores; presents example case studies applicable to fresh foods, personal products, take-away, checkout, and online shopping