Laser marks on German fruit and vegetables
German retailer EDEKA launches laser marks on fruit and vegetables instead of using sticker labels or plastic film
Washington State: draft scope for second PFAS alternatives assessment
Department of Ecology (DoE) for US state of Washington publishes document outlining scope of second alternatives assessment for PFAS in food packaging; defines five specific food packaging applications to focus on: flat serviceware, open-top containers, closed containers, bags and sleeves, and bowls; defines PFAS alternatives to evaluate; currently accepting comments
FCMs topic at EU parliamentary committee
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee exchanges views with the EU Commission on the regulation of food contact materials, requests quicker results and urges for more transparency
EU observatory for nanomaterials now online
ECHA launches European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials website; provides information on nanomaterials on the EU market for consumers, workers, regulators, and scientists
Food packaging made from food
Article in New York Times presents alternative food packaging materials developed from food residues such as excess milk powder, tomato peels, or shrimp shells
Inorganic elements in PHA bioplastics
Scientists measure content and migration of inorganic elements from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA); report higher levels in PHA produced from municipal waste and wastewater sludge fractions compared to PHA produced from fruit wastes; in all cases migration below set migration limits
Responses to draft EDC identification guidance
Responders to consultation on draft guidance for identification of EDCs criticize too high level of evidence required and too narrow scope
Chemical analytics of novel food packaging
Scientists review chemical analytical approaches for food contaminants originating from packaging, including active packaging and novel biopolymers; call for thorough characterization of substances migrating from active packaging, including impurities, auxiliary compounds, potential biotransformation products
Study assesses migration from recycled HDPE milk bottles
Paper in Resources, Conservation, and Recycling investigates chemical migration from recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE); when recycled milk bottles mixed with non-milk-bottle rHDPE, resulting plastic contaminated with chemicals of concern; rHDPE from well-sorted, decontaminated milk bottles may be clean enough for food contact; octocrylene and octinoxate still migrate at concerning levels, reduction may require further decontamination or changes in manufacturing or legislation