News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
June 17, 2026
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes report outlining “key areas of regulatory challenge”; includes protecting against most harmful chemicals, promoting safe circular materials; outlines steps for creating harmonized classification for neuro- and immunotoxicity
Topics: chemical safety, ECHA
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 16, 2026
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Western Region directs food businesses to stop using newspapers for food contact immediately; cites health concerns from chemical, bacterial contamination; suggests moving towards food-grade packaging to comply with regulations
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 15, 2026
International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) publishes report series with details of bisphenol and phthalate pollution, research, and regulations for 20 countries; country situation reports developed with local civil society organizations; series includes Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Congo, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Tanzania, and others
Topics: Argentina, Bangladesh, Benin, bisphenols, Brazil, Cameroon, Congo, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Philippines, phthalates, Serbia, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 12, 2026
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes draft contaminant list that may require regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act; list also covers microplastics; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) comments that measures to reduce microplastic exposure must begin now
Topics: microplastics, USA
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 11, 2026
European Commission drafts restriction on carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances (CMRs) in childcare articles; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) highlights inconsistencies with existing EU legislation that may result in lower protection against CMRs compared with plastic food contact materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 10, 2026
California law to only allow recyclability labels on packaging if > 60% of the population has access to suitable recycling facilities goes into effect October 2026; packaging and food industry suing that law is a violation of company free speech
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 9, 2026
Study identifies globalization, urbanization, and household dynamics as key socio-economic drivers behind the growing reliance on packaged food and food packaging; proposes degrowth policies and incentives for fresh, unpackaged food to reduce dependence
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 8, 2026
Nature Health study assesses over 100 brain samples for micro- and nanoplastic presence, their exact location, and potential entry pathways; particles present in almost all samples; disrupted blood-brain barrier suggested to facilitate particle entry into brain
Topics: human health, microplastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 3, 2026
Ghana to ban polystyrene foam products nationwide effective January 2027; covers virtually all applications including food contact materials (FCMs); products used for medical, scientific, laboratory and diagnostic purposes exempt
Reading time: 1 minute
May 28, 2026
UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Advisory Committee to prepare study on implications of plastic pollution for full enjoyment of human rights; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) responds to Advisory Committee’s call for inputs and provides information on impacts of hazardous chemicals from plastic food contact materials on human rights; suggests potential approaches to tackle plastic pollution
Reading time: 3 minutes
