U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opens comment period on systematic review protocols for the assessment of five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); comments accepted until December 23, 2019
China issues national standard for bio-materials
Sets definitions for 58 terms including “plastic”, “biodegradable plastic”, “composite”, and “polymer”; also defines process to mark and identify biobased materials; standard to become effective on June 1, 2021
UBA measures plasticizers in German rivers
Study by German Environment Agency (UBA) scientists reports concentration of 23 plasticizers in major German river basins, finds significant increases of di(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP), voices concern that total environmental burden from plasticizers has not changed since mid-2000s
EDC consensus paper published
Scientific consensus statement on endocrine disrupting chemicals of Berlin expert meeting now available in the journal Archives of Toxicology
Studies investigate impacts of EDC exposure during pregnancy
Five studies examine effects following exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy; report association between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and preterm birth and decreased gestational age, especially upon exposure in third trimester of pregnancy; find contradicting results on fetal growth impacts from BPA; intake of synthetic progesterone by pregnant women found to double cancer risk of their offspring; propylparaben exposure found to alter mammary gland structure in mice
EFSA risk assessment of MOAH in infant formula
Rapid risk assessment uses data submitted by member states, previous Foodwatch study; finds 95th percentile exposure of 0.8 to 44.6 µg/kg body weight per day; lack of data leads EFSA to conclude possible concern for human health
Draft toxic profile for 14 PFASs
New minimal risk levels for perfluoroalkyl substances proposed by U.S. agency; comments to be submitted by July 23, 2018
Thresholds for non-intentional PFAS in recycled food packaging
Researches from Iowa State University publish study measuring limits of performance of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations in recycled paper food packaging; propose thresholds to define non-intentionally added PFAS for regulatory applications
EU food risks alert annual report 2017
EU publishes annual report of its rapid alert system for food and feed (RASFF); 119 notifications related to food contact materials, 34 classified as serious health risks requiring immediate action
EFSA assesses 2 substances for intelligent and active FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers basic copper (II) carbonate and citric acid with sodium hydrogen carbonate safe for use in intelligent and active food contact materials under certain conditions