News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
October 29, 2020
Kate Guyton reviews the work of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), underlines the essential role played by independent scientific experts, describes processes used for evidence synthesis and carcinogen classification; key characteristics of carcinogens constitute an important approach to cancer hazard identification
Topics: cancer, hazard assessment
Reading time: 3 minutes
October 29, 2020
Stefan Merkel presents recent work of German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR); Lisa Zimmermann discusses bioassay-based toxicity assessment of conventional plastics, bioplastics, and plant-based materials; Andrew Turner emphasizes presence of toxic brominated flame retardants in recycled plastics, uses of hazardous heavy metals in colored decorations applied to glass articles
Reading time: 6 minutes
October 29, 2020
Martin Scheringer reviews the Food Packaging Forum’s work in 2020; discusses scientific consensus statement on food contact chemicals (FCCs) and health, ongoing projects aiming to understand contribution of FCC exposure to chronic diseases of public health concern
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 28, 2020
European Commission (EC) publishes set of staff working documents detailing outcomes of the fitness check on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); recommends simplifications, moving towards single assessment approach, applying data generated within other legislation to food contact materials, considering mixtures
Topics: endocrine disruptor, European Commission
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 28, 2020
Annual event switches to entirely virtual format on November 30 through December 3, 2020; will feature range of speakers from across the bioplastics industry; offer networking opportunities with brands, policy makers, academic researchers
Topics: bioplastics
Reading time: 1 minute
October 28, 2020
Special issue of peer-reviewed journal Birth Defects Research presents a collection of articles on plastics’ effects on human health, with a particular focus on early development
Reading time: 4 minutes
October 26, 2020
National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) surveys industry on the use of recycled food contact materials and initiates ‘basic research’ to inform development of risk management strategy for recycled FCMs
Reading time: 1 minute
October 26, 2020
European Commission publishes draft amendment to REACH text dealing with information requirements for chemicals dossiers; feedback accepted until November 16, 2020
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 26, 2020
Consultancy McKinsey & Company publishes paper on consumers’ views towards sustainability in packaging, as influenced by COVID 19 pandemic; urges more focus on proactive communication with consumers and supply chain partners, holistic approach to sustainability and hygiene requirements
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 22, 2020
Live virus particles found on frozen food packaging in China; updated questions and answers series on coronavirus published by the German Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR)
Topics: SARS-CoV-2
Reading time: 1 minute
