News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
November 12, 2020
President-elect’s environmental justice plan specifically targets ‘frontline’ communities affected most by chemical pollution, set to recognize per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous under US law; critics concerned over appointment of transition team member with history of defending PFAS manufacturers
Topics: PFAS, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 11, 2020
Article in peer-reviewed journal provides thorough overview of mechanical recycling processes by polymer, discusses chemical additives used; concludes mechanical recycling will remain most effective method to recycle plastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 11, 2020
2019 recycling rate reaches 51%, sees increase of 3% from 2018 levels
Topics: paper & board, recycling
Reading time: 1 minute
November 10, 2020
EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes study identifying chemical testing strategies that require fewer tests, reduce need for animal testing; based on data on biocide and plant protection products, could be expanded for use across other product types
Topics: non-animal testing, toxicity testing
Reading time: 1 minute
November 10, 2020
Beverage manufacturer announces development of first-generation prototype; new bottle still contains plastic liner and closure, aims to remove in upcoming development cycles
Topics: paper & board, plastics
Reading time: 1 minute
November 6, 2020
Drinking water contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the US motivates call for fast-food chain to cease use of the chemicals in its food packaging, reduce market demand
Topics: PFAS
Reading time: 1 minute
November 6, 2020
Ellen MacArthur Foundation summarizes progress made by business and government signatories since 2019; identifies focus towards increase of recycled content, phasing out problematic items; sees little development in increasing plastic packaging recyclability, reducing single-use packaging
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 5, 2020
Peer-reviewed study estimates total amounts of mis-managed plastic waste, includes domestic illegal dumping and waste exports to foreign recyclers; finds US produces greatest amount of plastic waste per capita, potentially third largest source worldwide of ocean plastics; recommends reduction of plastic production, product re-designs
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 5, 2020
Finds on average 1.5 kg packaged food consumed per person per day, plastic packaging makes up largest fraction by material type (69%); provides detailed tables of packaging material type across food groups and sociodemographic characteristics
Topics: market
Reading time: 1 minute
November 4, 2020
EU body publishes conclusions on Farm to Fork Strategy; calls for developing harmonized rules for additional food contact material (FCM) types and an EU-wide requirement for declarations of compliance for all materials
Topics: European Council, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
