Chinese ministry requests data on physical-chemical properties, toxicity, production & use, environmental exposure for set of chemicals; 17 are used in food contact materials; feedback open until August 31, 2019
OECD framework for nanomaterials
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publishes three reports focused on the safety of manufactured nanomaterials, provides framework with guidance on test methods for physico-chemical properties
Tackling the toxics in plastics packaging
Article in PLOS Biology discusses hazardous chemicals in plastics; highlights chemicals as critical but often missing aspect in plastic pollution discussion; proposes rethinking current approach to plastic packaging toxicity testing
Dutch Food Safety Authority promises more openness
Dutch food safety authority makes risk assessment of Dutch waffles highly contaminated with mineral oils public; pledges more information access and transparency in future risk assessments
Microbiome and chemical risk assessment
U.S. National Academy of Sciences’ report outlines research strategy to assess the need for chemical risk assessments to consider interactions between chemicals and microbiota when estimating human health effects
Study of implication of new European FCM guidance
EFSA calls for proposal on revised FCM guideline, evaluation of implication on the requirement for submission of toxicological information, restrictions and administrative consequences
Proposals for change from inside and outside the US FDA
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposes structural changes within the institution in response to recent critique; includes increased focus on nutrition, partnerships with other regulatory authorities and incorporating outside advisors; Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) publishes report on obesogens; encourages FDA to ‘incorporate framework’ to identify obesogens and other endocrine disruptors when reviewing chemical safety
When the dose does not make the poison
Scientists comment on first proposal to integrate non-monotonic dose response in chemical risk assessment framework
EPA chemical evaluation plan deemed unrealistic
US Government Accountability Office evaluates EPA’s chemical evaluation program
Japan publishes guidelines on chemical management for circular economy
Japan’s Joint Article Management Promotion-consortium gives guidelines on ensuring safe recycled materials; provides considerations for recycling process for various materials to avoid chemical contamination; urges for transparency about substances used in the supply chain