News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
July 21, 2026
UK government releases 2027 recyclability assessment methodology; large packaging producers legally required to use it; rates packaging as red, amber or green; automatic red in case of electrical components, chemicals of concern, non-compliant inks, PFAS, non-compliant food contact materials, restricted packaging formats including certain single-use plastics; first-year reporting highlights challenges improving packaging recyclability
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 20, 2026
Most food contact articles manufactured using bisphenol A (BPA) can no longer be introduced to the EU market; further deadlines remain for selected packaging and professional equipment
Topics: bisphenol A, European Commission
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 16, 2026
Indonesia's food and drug authority (BPOM) adopts new regulation on food contact materials (FCMs); establishes migration requirements for different packaging materials; introduces extensive positive and negative lists for food contact chemicals; positive list includes problematic chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA); explicit provisions for reusable and recycled food packaging; creates pathway for approval of new food contact chemicals and materials
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 15, 2026
European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes updated model estimating packaging placed on the market across 19 EU countries; finds plastic packaging volumes increased by about 11% between 2011 and 2025; identifies substantial differences in packaging material use and potential material shifts across product categories and countries
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 9, 2026
Report commissioned by the European Commission finds bio-based plastics could complement recycled content under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation; recommends binding targets and sustainability criteria
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 6, 2026
European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Committee for Risk Assessment adopts opinion on trifluoroacetic acid (TFA); recommends classifying TFA as persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT), very persistent and very mobile (vPvM), and toxic to reproduction; TFA is a degradation product of other PFAS, including some used in food contact materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 2, 2026
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) call for evidence for developing occupational exposure limits on bisphenols ended July 1, 2026; FPF submitted evidence for bisphenol exposure from food contact materials; emphasized real-world exposure to bisphenols and other hazardous chemicals happens in mixtures; highlighted recent scientific evidence for human exposure and potential health impacts of bisphenols
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 26, 2026
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publishes report on food safety aspects of recycled plastic and alternative food contact materials (FCMs); Food Packaging Forum (FPF) writes letter to FAO highlighting several concerns over report’s framing, interpretation of science, and risk assessment approaches
Topics: recycling, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 25, 2026
U.S. researchers and health professionals outline current evidence for childhood exposure to toxic chemicals from plastics, micro- and nanoplastics; highlight plastic-associated neurodevelopmental conditions as “a significant public health concern”; call for policy action to limit exposure to plastic-associated toxic chemicals, especially among children
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 18, 2026
PR3: The Global Alliance to Advance Reuse launches universal reuse symbol; symbol used to identify reusable packaging and reuse systems, including food packaging; distinct from recycling logo; reuse symbol can only be used if strict criteria are met
Reading time: 2 minutes
