European Medicines Agency publishes draft guideline on the use of phthalates and parabens
Phthalates found in diverse array of foods, from coffee to baby formula
Systematic review summarizes phthalate occurrence in different foods, discusses sources, and potential risk; researchers assess how coffee packaging and brewing method affects bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) levels in coffee; perform targeted analysis of 245 plastic additives in baby foods; report widespread contamination including a median of 46.1 ng phthalate esters per gram baby food
Organizations sue US FDA over failure to react on phthalates in FCMs
Earthjustice files case in a federal court on behalf of eight civil society organizations; calls on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to come to a final decision on a petition filed in 2016 within 60 days; petition argues safe use of phthalates can no longer be proven and calls for a ban in all food contact materials (FCMs)
Phthalates may increase risk of miscarriage
New study finds association between exposure to phthalates (DEP, DiBP, DnBP) and risk of pregnancy loss
U.S. senator to tackle phthalates in food packaging
California senator Dianne Feinstein announces plans to introduce legislation banning phthalates in food packaging, envisages phase-out over next 5 years
EFSA phthalates working group: 2nd meeting
EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on phthalates reassesses safety of DBP, BBP and DEHP for food contact plastics; updated meeting minutes now available online
Phthalates linked to language delays
Prenatal exposure to phthalates linked to language development delays in children, according to prospective epidemiological study of mother and child cohorts in Sweden and U.S.
Elevated exposure to phthalates
New biomonitoring report reveals high levels of phthalates
U.S.: 7 plastics exempted from phthalates testing
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission frees 7 plastic materials from testing for phthalates in children’s products because they are unlikely to contain the substances
Phthalates and fast food
New study analyzes NHANES data and finds association between high fast food consumption and increased urinary phthalate levels