Summary article and FPF dossier on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs) provide information on the presence of MOHs in food contact materials and food, analytical and regulatory challenges, as well as technical solutions
Opinion: TSCA reform must protect public health
Article by health professional Leonardo Trasande outlines opportunities and drawbacks of current bills to reform U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act for protection of human health
EFSA plastics recycling working group: 2nd meeting
EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on recycling plastics holds 2nd meeting; minutes now available online
EFSA FCM working group: 7th meeting
Minutes of the 7th meeting of EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on food contact materials now available online; group discusses three draft opinions including review of untreated wood flour and fibers
ISOE: Guidance on reducing and improving food packaging materials
Scientists at the German Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) give practical recommendations for food supply companies, associations as well as decision-makers related to reducing single-use and supporting multiple-use packaging, recycling, and innovation on a technological and organizational level
Germany announces intention to restrict bisphenols
Restriction intention submitted to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA); aims to limit bisphenol A (BPA) and structurally similar bisphenols to maximum concentration of 0.02% by weight as additives, residues, and in mixtures; stakeholders invited to submit relevant information; proposal to be finalized in October 2021
Public consultation on BPA re-evaluation
EFSA announces public consultation on BPA re-evaluation protocol, defining scope, methodology, information needs for safety assessment planned in 2018; deadline for comments is September 3, 2017
Philippine city to phase out plastic and styrofoam
Cotabato City in the Philippines plans ban of non-biodegradable plastics
Opinion: FCM safety remains opaque
Environmental magazine raises concerns over food contact material safety; criticizes lack of transparency
EFSA publishes guidance on chemical grouping for risk assessments
Final version of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidance prioritizes hazard-driven criteria for grouping chemicals; supports human health risk assessments of combined chemical exposures; recommends relying on mechanistic information on toxicity within a weight-of-evidence approach