News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
July 23, 2026
US study estimates at least 5.1 billion pounds (2.3 million metric tons) of post-consumer plastic recovered for recycling in 2024; overall increase compared with 2022; growth largely driven by plastic film; plastic bottle recovery declined
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 21, 2026
UK government releases 2027 recyclability assessment methodology; large packaging producers legally required to use it; rates packaging as red, amber or green; automatic red in case of electrical components, chemicals of concern, non-compliant inks, PFAS, non-compliant food contact materials, restricted packaging formats including certain single-use plastics; first-year reporting highlights challenges improving packaging recyclability
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 20, 2026
Most food contact articles manufactured using bisphenol A (BPA) can no longer be introduced to the EU market; further deadlines remain for selected packaging and professional equipment
Topics: bisphenol A, European Commission
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 16, 2026
Indonesia's food and drug authority (BPOM) adopts new regulation on food contact materials (FCMs); establishes migration requirements for different packaging materials; introduces extensive positive and negative lists for food contact chemicals; positive list includes problematic chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA); explicit provisions for reusable and recycled food packaging; creates pathway for approval of new food contact chemicals and materials
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 15, 2026
European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes updated model estimating packaging placed on the market across 19 EU countries; finds plastic packaging volumes increased by about 11% between 2011 and 2025; identifies substantial differences in packaging material use and potential material shifts across product categories and countries
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 9, 2026
Report commissioned by the European Commission finds bio-based plastics could complement recycled content under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation; recommends binding targets and sustainability criteria
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 6, 2026
European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Committee for Risk Assessment adopts opinion on trifluoroacetic acid (TFA); recommends classifying TFA as persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT), very persistent and very mobile (vPvM), and toxic to reproduction; TFA is a degradation product of other PFAS, including some used in food contact materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 2, 2026
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) call for evidence for developing occupational exposure limits on bisphenols ended July 1, 2026; FPF submitted evidence for bisphenol exposure from food contact materials; emphasized real-world exposure to bisphenols and other hazardous chemicals happens in mixtures; highlighted recent scientific evidence for human exposure and potential health impacts of bisphenols
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 26, 2026
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publishes report on food safety aspects of recycled plastic and alternative food contact materials (FCMs); Food Packaging Forum (FPF) writes letter to FAO highlighting several concerns over report’s framing, interpretation of science, and risk assessment approaches
Topics: recycling, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 25, 2026
U.S. researchers and health professionals outline current evidence for childhood exposure to toxic chemicals from plastics, micro- and nanoplastics; highlight plastic-associated neurodevelopmental conditions as “a significant public health concern”; call for policy action to limit exposure to plastic-associated toxic chemicals, especially among children
Reading time: 2 minutes
