EFSA’s CEF Panel considers (butadiene, styrene, methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate) copolymer cross-linked with divinylbenzene or 1,3-butanediol dimethacrylate safe for use in food contact materials under certain conditions
Portuguese study surveys consumption of packaged foods
Finds on average 1.5 kg packaged food consumed per person per day, plastic packaging makes up largest fraction by material type (69%); provides detailed tables of packaging material type across food groups and sociodemographic characteristics
Draft 15th amendment to EU plastic FCM regulation
EU Commission drafting new amendment for EU Regulation 10/2011 on plastic FCMs; authorizes new substances, decreases non-detect migration limits, adds migration limits for elements and metals
EU adds CMRs to REACH restriction list
EU Commission places over 20 carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic substances on Annex XVII list of restricted substances under REACH; amendment includes substances relevant for food contact such as BPA
Concern over data gaps for fluorotelomers
Feature article by Chemical Watch reviews ongoing scientific and regulatory discussions concerning uncertainties and data gaps to describe presence and toxicity of fluorotelomer breakdown products; widespread use in food packaging increasing scrutiny of the issue
Safety of DEHCH
EFSA assesses safety of bis(2-ethylhexyl)cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (DEHCH) for use as plasticizer in PVC; concluded to present no safety concerns; uncertainty remains about bioaccumulation potential in humans
Herbs and spices in active food packaging
Review on use of herbs, spices and their bioactive compounds in active packaging; research is needed to investigate how these additives interact with biopolymer matrices
Food simulant affects nanoparticles
Scientists evaluate changes in size and dissolution of silver nanoparticles in food simulants; nanoparticles dissolve in acidic simulant but remain stable in water and alcoholic food simulant
Report assesses benefits of increasing reusable beverage packaging
Estimates that ten percent increase in reusable packaging by 2030 could eliminate over 1 trillion single-use plastic bottles and cups; finds expanding reuse to be more effective than expanding recycling; calls for beverage companies to set reuse targets
BfR: 17th Meeting on contaminants in food chain
German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes meeting minutes of its commission for contaminants in the food chain; discusses PFASs and mineral oil hydrocarbons