Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) with 12 other NGOs publish an open letter to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) , request clarification on regulation and risk management of products treated with nanosilver, zinc oxide, copper biocides; antimicrobial resistance, human health effects unclear
PVC additive assessment tool
Industry initiative Vinyl Plus announces creation of tool to assess life cycle impacts of additives used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products; civil society groups criticize the approach as ‘greenwashing and misleading’
FPF webinar on reprotoxic food contact chemicals: Proceedings online
Food Packaging Forum held webinar on food contact chemical surfynol and its reprotoxic properties on March 27, 2018; video recording and presentation slides now available
Webinar on toxicity of paper and board FCMs
Collaborative on Health and the Environment holds webinar on in vitro testing of paper and board food contact materials, January 18, 2018; registration now open
Sweet potato and thyme used for bio-packaging film
U.S. scientists develop nanocomposite film from sweet potato starch, thyme essential oil, and nanoclay; potential applications include packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables
Nanoclay migration from FCM
Study investigates nanoclay migration from commercialized nanoclay-LDPE food bags; aluminum migrates in both dissolved and nanoparticle forms; also particles of assumed plastic origin found
Target presents new sustainable packaging goals
U.S. retailer Target announces new sustainability goals for its own-brand packaging, pledges efforts to improve recycling and increase demand for recycled packaging
Mineral oils in oat flakes
German consumer magazine tests oat flakes for contaminants, finds flakes tainted with mineral oils
Revised EDC criteria not adequate, NGOs say
Non-profit organization ChemSec, part of EDC-Free Europe, deems revised EU EDC criteria do not adequately protect public health and environment
EU Parliament: Draft report
European Parliament publishes draft report on the implementation of food contact materials regulation; calls on the European Commission to harmonize regulations for more FCMs, improve on risk assessment and enforcement