News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
September 4, 2026
Principality of Monaco restricts plastic containers for ready-to-eat foods effective September 1, 2026; part of larger strategy to reduce single-use plastic waste; applies to food sold for immediate consumption or with use-by date of three days or less; exemptions include lids and closure systems, containers for fresh, cut, and unprocessed fruit, containers with internal plastic coating serving as functional layer
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 3, 2026
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) drafts standards for plastic food contact materials (FCMs) intended for child use and for microwave use; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comments highlighting need for stronger chemical safety provisions; raises concerns on limited list of restricted chemicals, potential for regrettable substitutions, chemical safety issues of recycled plastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 1, 2026
All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Microplastics, UK, publishes 5-year report on state of microplastic pollution in the UK; authors call for precautionary approach and early implementation of coordinated actions to align with current evidence, need for policy leadership, and cost-effective management of microplastics and their adverse impacts
Topics: microplastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 1, 2026
Scientists from the Food Packaging Forum present practical grouping approach to address regulatory gaps in food contact chemicals; 87% of chemicals lack adequate safety data; study includes free tools to help stakeholders screen for and identify potentially hazardous chemicals
Topics: chemical safety, grouping
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 27, 2026
Centre for Science and Environment publishes report comparing plastic waste management costs with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) payments in India; finds significant financing gaps for flexible and multilayer plastic packaging, particularly in remote regions; criticizes 2024 changes to multilayer plastic classification under India's Plastic Waste Management Rules
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 25, 2026
Defend Our Health launches searchable directory of food contact materials’ chemical disclosures; database summarizes whether manufacturers disclose intentional PFAS use; builds on California transparency requirements
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 20, 2026
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces two food policy actions under Make America Healthy Again agenda; proposal would require companies to report GRAS conclusions; existing GRAS uses offered temporary streamlined reporting route; federal definition of ultra-processed foods submitted for final review
Reading time: 4 minutes
August 19, 2026
European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes report on economic viability of chemical recycling of plastics; concludes that chemical recycling does not achieve cost parity with virgin plastics; may still play a role in supplying markets with recycled plastics considering recycled content requirements of new EU regulations on packaging and single-use plastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 18, 2026
Swiss Federal Council adopts new Packaging Ordinance covering all packaging materials; introduces recycling targets and take-back requirements for plastic packaging and beverage cartons; ban on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) added after public consultation; government did not address key concerns shared by the Food Packaging Forum and Swiss civil society organizations during public comment period
Reading time: 4 minutes
August 17, 2026
Minderoo Foundation and Boston College publish second update of umbrella review on plastic-associated chemicals and human health; demonstrates continuing increase in “statistically significant and highly consistent” evidence of harm; PlasticHealthAware dashboard makes data openly available; regular updates planned
Topics: human health, plastic
Reading time: 2 minutes
