European Consumer Organization (BEUC) position document stresses importance of putting consumer and societal needs first, ensuring public money is spent on public goods; shares concerns about ‘Innovation Principle’
Reducing perchlorate in food
Communication by German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment addresses perchlorate in food, calls for reduction of perchlorate levels in food, omits intentional use in FCMs as significant exposure source
Responses to EU FCM consultation
Stakeholders urge equal treatment of SVHCs in REACH and FCM legislation, call for more harmonized FCM measures
Styrene concentrations in German and Italian refrigerated dairy products
Scientists assess styrene levels in polystyrene food packaging, migration into refrigerated dairy products, in 50% ethanol, as well as factors influencing migration; report styrene migration of 5 to 30 µg/kg food at the best before date; find food contact area, temperature and time rather than fat content influence styrene migration
Scientists find phthalates impact development of boys more than girls
Biomonitoring study reports association between maternal phthalate exposure and 24-month-old boy emotional/behavioral problems; short review discusses teratogenic effect and calls for health policies; research article detects phthalates in wide range of US foods, indicates phthalate migration from food processing equipment; review evaluates gas chromatography-based approaches to measure phthalates in aqueous and solid foods
FPF comments on proposed US ban of fluorinated plastics
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comments to the US Food and Drug Administration on the food additive petition to remove the authorization of fluorinated polyethylene in food contact materials
PFAS-Tox Database launched
Collaborative group of universities and NGOs publishes PFAS-Tox Database; publicly available resource provides systematic evidence map covering 742 toxicity studies on 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); features dozens of studies on ‘purportedly safer’ PFAS; findings show adverse health impacts studied for wide range of PFAS; experts call for class-based management of all PFAS
European investors sign letter for a strong PPWR
European investors call for stronger Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); advocate for robust regulations for a sustainable future; strong regulation can increase confidence and reduce financial risks
Food contact chemicals among 921 substances tied to breast cancer risk
Researchers expand list of known substances with characteristics linked to breast cancer by more than four-fold; many are in standard consumer products, including 189 in food contact according to FPF’s database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex); authors call for improved hazard identification methods, advocate for more comprehensive chemical testing, especially focusing on the mammary gland and broader range of chemicals
Washington State: draft scope for second PFAS alternatives assessment
Department of Ecology (DoE) for US state of Washington publishes document outlining scope of second alternatives assessment for PFAS in food packaging; defines five specific food packaging applications to focus on: flat serviceware, open-top containers, closed containers, bags and sleeves, and bowls; defines PFAS alternatives to evaluate; currently accepting comments