News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
May 2, 2023
Researchers report plastic fragments may exacerbate breast cancer metastasis; review summarizes nanoplastic uptake into human cells; studies find occupational microplastics exposure can be reduced by wearing face masks; millions of micro- and nanoplastics are released during 30-second food blending; scientists more worried about microplastic impacts on the environment than humans
Reading time: 6 minutes
April 27, 2023
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) responds to European Commission’s call for feedback on the proposed packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); FPF highlights aspects of food packaging and chemical safety that should be included in future versions; primarily (i) considering presence of hazardous chemicals in packaging materials meant to be recycled or reused, (ii) clearly defining compostable packaging and guaranteeing safety, and (iii) defining inertness
Reading time: 3 minutes
April 26, 2023
US based and Indonesia based NGOs publish report on PFAS in popcorn bags; all 29 samples tested contained at least one PFAS
Reading time: 1 minute
April 21, 2023
Australian Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Center surveys consumer perceptions of packaging’s role in encouraging or preventing food waste; United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) breaks down results from 33 life cycle analyses comparing packaging and food waste; makes structured recommendations for when packaging or food waste costs are higher based on food type, consumer and regulatory support, and strength of local waste management systems
Reading time: 4 minutes
April 20, 2023
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
Reading time: 4 minutes
April 19, 2023
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
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 19, 2023
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
Reading time: 3 minutes
April 18, 2023
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
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 14, 2023
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) details PFAS restriction proposal in webinar; consultation open until September 25, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute
April 12, 2023
The Food Packaging Forum updates Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex); encompasses 149 additional studies with more than 4600 new entries
Reading time: 2 minutes
