News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
July 21, 2020
Leaked draft version developed by DG Environment and commented on by DG Grow; proposed mixture assessment factor not supported by DG Grow, overall wording requested to be ‘less definitive and committing’; NGOs concerned revisions could place public health behind corporate interests
Topics: chemicals strategy, European Commission
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 21, 2020
Non-governmental organization Baltic Environmental Forum Germany (BEF) publishes brochure providing general introduction and overview of hazardous chemicals in food contact materials (FCMs), common material types, tips for reducing exposure
Reading time: 1 minute
July 21, 2020
Author Rick Smith describes experiment carried out on himself with University of Rochester to identify uptake of microplastics in his diet; article discusses unknowns and concerns held by scientific experts, criticizes increased plastic use during COVID-19 pandemic
Topics: microplastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 21, 2020
European Commission publishes roadmap, inception impact assessment; initiative aims to require companies to substantiate environmental footprint claims made about their products or services, reduce ‘greenwashing’; open for feedback until August 31, 2020
Reading time: 1 minute
July 21, 2020
Latest episode of podcast produced by Zero Waste Norway features Jane Muncke from the Food Packaging Forum; emphasizes that reusable food containers can be safely cleaned and sanitized in food establishments, no reason to rely solely on single-use items
Reading time: 1 minute
July 20, 2020
Scientists integrate and interpret data from 8 of the 14 academic studies completed under the CLARITY-BPA project; link bisphenol A (BPA) exposure to impacts across multiple organs including brain, heart, prostate, mammary gland, ovaries; strengthen confidence in low-dose effects of BPA; co-authors to present results in webinar on July 21, 2020
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 16, 2020
Chem Trust publishes policy proposal for a new overarching legislation on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), establishing a single EDC identification system, ensuring full transparency and easy access to information via official EU lists; European Commission preliminary document proposes creating new hazard classes to include EDCs in Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation
Topics: endocrine disruptor
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 16, 2020
Described as being world’s first; manufactured from ‘sustainably sourced wood,’ said to be fully recyclable and adhering to food-safety standards; first bottle to be released in early 2021
Topics: paper & board
Reading time: 1 minute
July 15, 2020
Published editorial argues exposure to synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals ’generally negligible’; Le Monde criticizes editorial’s 19 authors’ lack of scientific expertise on EDCs, citation of outdated studies, duplicate publication in eight different journals, undeclared conflicts of interest; EHN article dubs editorial ‘unethical attempt to foster the views of the chemical industry at the expense of human health’
Topics: endocrine disruptor
Reading time: 4 minutes
July 14, 2020
Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) proposes to update its model legislation already adopted in 19 US states; set to ban presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in packaging above detection limit, limit presence of ortho-phthalates to 100 ppm; comments accepted until August 24, 2020
Reading time: 1 minute
