News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
July 17, 2023
Scientists develop nonlinear model for predicting food contact chemical (FCC) migration and apply it to FCCs of high toxicological concern; emphasize usefulness of their model to speed up migration assessment of FCCs; different group of scientists proposes an innovative modeling approach to assess release of a specific additives and elements from plastic food packaging and steel processing tools
Reading time: 4 minutes
July 17, 2023
Systemiq presents a circular economy blueprint for PET; suggests pathway to reducing landfill and incineration by 70% and greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2040; would require expansion of reuse systems, scaling of recycling infrastructure, and clear regulations; chemical safety of recycled PET remains unclear
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 14, 2023
Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) discusses gaps and inconsistencies of current FCM legislation; argues it needs reform to ensure chemical safety of products holistically; provides recommendations for improvements
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 13, 2023
Study using perfused human placental tissue demonstrates polystyrene nanoplastics affect expression of inflammation and iron homeostasis-related genes; review summarizes that small plastic particles can enter reproductive organs and affect reproductive health, however further research needed to verify the results and assess mechanisms of reproductive toxicity
Topics: exposure, microplastics
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 6, 2023
CBC reports about Canada’s paper exports; finds plastic contamination present poses environmental and social challenges to India; recycling infrastructure unable to keep up
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 5, 2023
Reports by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) and partners examine decarbonization pathways of beverage containers, urge rethinking single-use glass and transition towards reuse, and investigates the economic viability of reusable food packaging
Reading time: 3 minutes
July 4, 2023
Two groups of scientists analyze occurrence and migration of organophosphate esters (OPEs) from hundreds of Chinese plastic and paper food packaging; one study reports higher concentration of OPEs in plastics and migration of 15 out of 23 targeted OPEs; another study identifies presence of 42 and migration of 26 OPEs and identifies seven new compounds
Reading time: 4 minutes
July 3, 2023
French government has announced plans to establish glass deposit system; aims to phase out single-use plastics by 2040; incentivizes reusable glass with dedicated fund of 50 million Euro
Reading time: 1 minute
June 29, 2023
Report by City to Sea presents requirements for implementing reuse systems in UK; says majority of consumers are receptive to using reusable packaging; Chartered Institution of Waste Management urges UK to take the lead in establishing reuse systems for a circular economy
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 26, 2023
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comment to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the draft national strategy to prevent plastic pollution; FPF highlights aspects of food packaging and chemical safety for EPA to consider; primarily (i) how the EPA may be able to support reuse, (ii) encouraging ratification of the Basel Convention; (iii) clarifying “compostable” and “inert”; strategy comment period extended to July 31, 2023
Reading time: 4 minutes
