On May 22, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its annual report on emerging risks and horizon scanning activities. According to the authors, “EFSA collected a total of 65 emerging issues, of which 38 were further characterized and seven identified as emerging risks.” One of the seven emerging risks is related to food packaging, specifically, the presence and migration of the allergen gluten from novel biobased materials (FPF reported).
Gluten, found in wheat and other grains, can cause severe immune reactions and damage to the small intestine in people with celiac disease. Wheat can be a feedstock for some bio-based and biodegradable FCMs. EFSA explains that “current regulations do not mandate allergen labelling on FCMs, creating potential risks for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.” The authority suggests investigating “gluten migration levels and health impact” as well as consumer information needs and labelling.
Two other issues identified require more information before deciding if they need further EFSA involvement and have links to food packaging.
First, food packaging as a possible exposure source of mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHxP, CAS 24539-57-9). The substance was identified in over 60% of the 250 children tested in 2020/21 (FPF reported). MnHxP is a metabolite of di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHxP, CAS 84-75-3), a substance of very high concern (SVHC) due to its reprotoxicity. DnHxP can sometimes be found in food contact materials (FCMs) but it is not authorized for use in plastic FCMs in the EU and is not authorized for food contact use in the US as of 2022 (FPF reported). EFSA writes, “[m]ore information is needed to conclude that MnHexP is primarily related to non-food items, such as sunscreens.”
Second, is the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sea spray as a potential source of terrestrial PFAS contamination. Food packaging is mentioned as a market for which PFAS are used. However, packaging is not explicitly linked to the sea spray issue, which EFSA states still needs to be clarified.
For possible future consideration, EFSA briefly mentions “[r]ecent advances in ZnO nanomaterial-mediated biological applications and action mechanisms” and that more information is necessary regarding the possible migration of nanoparticles into food.
Reference
EFSA (2025). “2024 EFSA Annual Report: Emerging risks and horizon scanning activities.”
