News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
August 12, 2020
US NGO Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families releases guides on eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from food packaging used by fast-food restaurants and grocery chains
Topics: PFAS, substitution
Reading time: 1 minute
August 7, 2020
Mind the Store campaign and Toxic-Free Future collect and test 29 food packaging samples from 6 US fast food chains for fluorine levels; find that burger wrappers and containers from McDonald’s and Burger King likely treated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); paper bags used for French fries and deserts have consistently high fluorine levels
Topics: PFAS
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 7, 2020
Defines registration process for chemicals in food contact articles under new national regulatory scheme; requires additional testing of specific target organ toxicity and record-keeping of migration levels
Topics: regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
August 6, 2020
European Commission publishes regulation restricting the use and placing on the market of diisocyanates after August 24, 2023; diisocyanates will not be allowed to be used alone, in other substances, or in mixtures above a concentration of 0.1% by weight; industrial and professional uses permitted only after completing safety training
Topics: REACH
Reading time: 1 minute
August 6, 2020
Adopts most of the text previously agreed while EU member; outlines small technical changes from Waste Framework Directive, confirms intention to continue transition towards a circular economy
Topics: circular economy, recycling
Reading time: 1 minute
August 5, 2020
Emergency resolution originally set to expire in July 2020 extended for six months until January 16, 2021; sets migration limits for lead and cadmium from ceramic and glass food contact materials into food
Reading time: 1 minute
August 4, 2020
University of Torino to launch five-week virtual course on November 9, 2020; aims to inform broad audience about the potential health risks of packaging and food contact materials, how research contributes towards safer packaging, and the role of governments, industry, and consumers
Topics: migration
Reading time: 1 minute
August 3, 2020
Three manufacturers of the short chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (6:2 FTOH) commit to voluntarily phase out use by 2023; concerns about potential persistence in humans following dietary exposure
Topics: PFAS
Reading time: 1 minute
August 3, 2020
The Lexicon develops online game to bring awareness about personal food choices on health, environment, and culture; supporting resource articles provide insights from experts into developing sustainable diets, dietary guidelines, and making choices about the food we eat
Topics: environment, food
Reading time: 1 minute
July 31, 2020
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) workshop on August 31, 2020 to receive public input on identifying plant-fiber based food packaging as priority product; report with product-chemical profile published and open for public comment until September 13, 2020
Topics: PFAS
Reading time: 1 minute
