News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
August 23, 2024
Report by the World Benchmarking Alliance assesses companies’ measures to protect the environment; many companies do not follow through on commitments; finds lack of action to reduce plastic waste
Reading time: 1 minute
August 21, 2024
European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare updates guidance document on metals and alloys used for food contact; sets updated Specific Release Limits; assesses safety of various metals based on scientific evidence; emphasizes need for collaboration between stakeholders to minimize health risks from released substances
Reading time: 1 minute
August 16, 2024
Thai Industrial Standards Institute adopts international standard for undertaking life cycle assessments of biobased plastics
Reading time: 1 minute
August 15, 2024
Provides general information on micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs); claims there is no evidence showing health risks; comments on lack of standardized methods for detecting, quantifying, and characterizing MNPs
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 14, 2024
4th phase of Jamaica’s single-use plastics ban now in effect; no importation of single-use food containers made with PE, PP, PLA, or expanded PS; also covers plastic drinking straws; food service providers have until January 9, 2025, to use up existing stock
Reading time: 1 minute
August 13, 2024
Four recent studies explore how to switch to reusable packaging; concerns related to hygiene and return logistics are barriers identified by all studies; cultural and socio-economic factors, the food items, and the setting play major role in the successful rollout; consumer desirability, business viability, sustainability, and technical feasibility are interlocked, and their combined analysis can support the roll-out of reuse systems
Reading time: 5 minutes
August 6, 2024
White House releases plan to reduce impacts of plastic across the entire lifecycle; aims to eliminate single-use plastic in federal food service by 2027, and in all federal operations by 2045
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 30, 2024
A perspective article explains why the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastic Treaty was formed and how it works; the Scientists’ Coalition employs a multi-faceted communication approach including a media strategy to reach all relevant stakeholders; member scientists must declare any conflicts of interests and publish peer-reviewed research related to plastic pollution
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 29, 2024
Japan’s Joint Article Management Promotion-consortium gives guidelines on ensuring safe recycled materials; provides considerations for recycling process for various materials to avoid chemical contamination; urges for transparency about substances used in the supply chain
Reading time: 1 minute
July 26, 2024
Zero Waste Europe publishes brief highlighting problems with polyvinyl chloride in food contact applications; advocates for restrictions due to health concerns from additives and microplastics; another report supports ECHA’s findings on significant risks associated with PVC; European civil society organizations petition phase out strategies
Reading time: 2 minutes
