Food Packaging Forum presentation provides an overview of the multi-stakeholder debate related to the safety of reusable food packaging during the COVID-19 pandemic; reviews calls for action from industry associations, NGOs, and recommendations from governments
Identifying chemicals and polymers of concern
Jane Muncke from the Food Packaging Forum presents on chemicals of concern in food packaging as part of a webinar dedicated to «identifying chemicals and polymers of concern» organized by the United Nations Environment Programme in preparation for the upcoming third negotiating session for the UN Global Plastics Treaty
JRC: Avoid pre-heating for migration testing
EU Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials completes study on the impacts of pre-heating food contact materials before migration testing; advises reference laboratories to avoid pre-heating
Stain-resistant chemical linked to thyroid function
Huffington Post reports on new science study on perfluorinated chemicals, too little known about long-term effects states the study co-author
ES&T article scrutinizes claims made about reusable bags, COVID-19
Article in Environmental Science and Technology (ES&T) critical of safety concerns raised by industry association related to reusable shopping bags, argues their infrequent handling poses less risk than other transmission pathways; explains that single-use paper bags would be safer option than plastic due to lower virus survival time
Over 115 health experts sign statement on safety of reuse
Greenpeace and UPSTREAM publish statement signed by wide-range of doctors and public health researchers, emphasize that reuse systems in stores and restaurants can be implemented safely during COVID-19 pandemic by following standard sanitation laws; single-use items not inherently safer than reusables
Authorship of chemicals bill questioned
Authorship of new chemical safety act introduced by U.S. Senators David Vitter and Tom Udall is being questioned
NGOs comment on UN EDC reports
ChemSec and CIEL discuss UN overview reports on endocrine disruptors, highlight value of SIN List, importance of using scientific information for policies and regulations
European Bioplastics conference discusses bioplastics’ role within Green Deal
16th annual European Bioplastics conference focuses on role of bioplastics in EU policies, new opportunities of compostable plastics and their performance in the open environment, measuring and communicating sustainability of bio-based plastics, bioplastics market development, and applications
FCM compliance conference
Regulatory developments for food contact materials discussed at Intertek and European Plastics News conference on 15-16 October in Nice, France