Member States vote in favor of EU Commission’s new proposal for criteria to identify endocrine disrupting pesticides; exemption for substances with intentional endocrine activity removed; NGOs criticize remaining high burden of proof
Sources of PFASs exposure in humans
Scientists examine associations between exposure factors and levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in humans; compare several methods of dietary exposure assessment; food contact articles significantly contributed to PFASs intakes
Microplastics in food: occurrence, source, detection, and perception
Three studies investigate microplastics in foods; review summarizes particle migration from food packaging into honey and calls for universal analysis methods; research study presents analytical method to detect and identify microplastics in certain foods; survey finds public seems unaware of food packaging as microplastic source and seldomly connects microplastics with human health consequences
P&P conference 2018
Smithers Pira’s annual conference on “Plastics & paper in contact with foodstuffs” covers regulatory updates, summarizes industry initiatives, discusses future developments
Predicting endocrine disruptors
National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark develops QSAR models to predict chemicals potentially affecting thyroid hormones
Independent panel recommends considerable changes to US FDA
Reagan-Udall Foundation publishes independent evaluation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) human foods program; provides 32 recommendations concerning agency culture, structure, resources, and authorities
Microplastics in sea salt
Researchers find microplastic particles in commercial sea salts from different countries; human intake estimated to be low; more research needed to assess health risks
Sweden to propose BPA analogue as SVHC
Swedish Chemicals Agency will propose 4,4′-isobutylethylidenediphenol as substance of very high concern to avoid regrettable substitution of bisphenol A
EDC criteria: Latest revision and next meeting
EU Commission publishes latest version of revised criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; NGOs and industry still dissatisfied with proposed criteria; next expert meeting, and possible vote, to be held February 28, 2017