Italian studies investigate consumer perception and attitude; find food- and packaging-related eco-labels to equally signal higher food quality and safety to consumers; demonstrate high willingness of consumers to buy active, intelligent, and sustainable packaging; survey in UK finds adding stickers with clear recycling messages increases recycling behavior
Microplastics measured in newborn, infant, and adult feces
Small study assesses polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) microplastics in human feces; finds PET and PC in all infant stool and in most meconium and adult stool samples; suggests higher exposure of infants than adults
New method for analysis of BPA in recycled food contact paper
Spanish study shows new and fast method allows for an accurate determination of bisphenol-type compounds and measured BPA in all analyzed recycled materials.
ChemSec: Melamine key PMT chemical of concern
NGO discusses the growing interest and concern over melamine, suggests it might become ‘poster child’ for persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) substances
Aromatic Mineral Oils measured in chocolate from advent calendars
A German Consumer Protection Agency measures mineral oils at levels higher than 10mg/kg in chocolate from advent calendars and finds some to be contaminated with aromatic mineral oils
European total diet study to estimate exposure to contaminants in food
A Europe wide research project will analyze contaminants in a wide variety of foods to estimate total dietary exposure.
German draft proposal on mineral oil migration is met with skepticism
German ministry proposes regulation of mineral oils in food contact materials, receives criticism from German paper and board industry
Too little regulatory follow-up in REACH
Report by NGO European Environmental Bureau finds over 70% of substances with completed REACH evaluations demonstrating concern for human health or the environment have not yet received any regulatory follow-up to manage risks
Australian government to start regulating packaging
Australian environment ministers agree to “address the use of harmful chemicals in food packaging,” create packaging design standards and targets, harmonize curbside recycling programs; details forthcoming
Researchers detect chemicals present in and migrating from PET bottles
Two studies analyze polyethylene terephthalate (PET) chemicals; identify several volatile chemicals present in and migrating from new PET bottles as well as from bottles commercially available in Japan; develop online method for quantifying non-intentionally added substances (NIAS)