Targeted analysis demonstrates widespread contamination of Chinese baby foods with traditional and novel antioxidants; plastic food packaging identified as one source; prevalent and high migration of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol from different types of plastics
April 19, 2023
EFSA: Dietary exposure to BPA is unsafe
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes scientific opinion on bisphenol A (BPA); tolerable daily intake reduced by a factor of 20 000; concludes that there is a health concern from current dietary BPA exposure levels for entire population
April 19, 2023
Survey shows European consumers lack information about food contact articles
European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) surveys EU consumers on experience, knowledge, and attitude on food packaging; consumers feel under informed; 90% of consumers support stricter rules to prevent health effects; recommends overhaul of EU food contact policies
April 18, 2023
New Japanese coalition to protect children from harmful chemicals
Group of Japanese consumer organizations form ‘Network for Protecting Children from Hazardous Chemicals’; purpose is to gather and communicate scientific research and urge for legislative changes; inauguration event takes place on April 22, 2023
April 14, 2023
ECHA hosts webinar on PFAS restriction
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) details PFAS restriction proposal in webinar; consultation open until September 25, 2023
April 12, 2023
FCCmigex database updated
The Food Packaging Forum updates Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex); encompasses 149 additional studies with more than 4600 new entries
April 10, 2023
Japan updates list of substances allowed for food contact articles
Draft introduces new definitions of polymers; revises usage allowances for some substances
April 7, 2023
European Commission introduces EDC subcategories and new hazard classes in CLP revision
Commission amends regulation on classification, labeling, and packaging (CLP) of chemicals and mixtures; endocrine disrupting chemicals now categorized into known or presumed and suspected endocrine disruptors; introduces four hazard classes from REACH
April 6, 2023
Phthalates found in diverse array of foods, from coffee to baby formula
Systematic review summarizes phthalate occurrence in different foods, discusses sources, and potential risk; researchers assess how coffee packaging and brewing method affects bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) levels in coffee; perform targeted analysis of 245 plastic additives in baby foods; report widespread contamination including a median of 46.1 ng phthalate esters per gram baby food
April 3, 2023
MERCOSUR publishes draft silicone FCM regulation
South American trade bloc MERCOSUR is updating its standards for silicone food contact materials; includes positive lists and specific migration limits for metal salts; stakeholders can comment on the draft until May 12, 2023; Argentina and Uruguay have already notified the World Trade Organization of impending changes
