News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
March 18, 2022
Epidemiological studies investigate association between diet and endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure; find recommended healthy diets not protective against EDC exposure; report association of plastic-free diet with reduced urinary bisphenol A (BPA) in children; researchers performing bioaccessibility tests using gut fluids find release of phthalates and BPA from microplastics may pose human health risk
Reading time: 5 minutes
March 18, 2022
Over 50 organizations in Switzerland’s plastics value chain pledge to create a nation-wide, consumer-friendly plastic packaging and drink carton recycling system by 2030; aims to support a circular economy in Switzerland; packaging producers, brand owners, retailers, and recyclers committed
Topics: recycling, Switzerland
Reading time: 0 minutes
March 17, 2022
New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposes limiting PFAS, heavy metals, and phthalates in all packaging to 100 ppm by weight by 2024; also urges extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging; at least six other states considering packaging EPR legislation; state-owned or contracted foodservice facilities in California must now use food packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable
Reading time: 3 minutes
March 17, 2022
India implements extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for plastic packaging, effective immediately; recycling targets for plastic producers, importers, and brand-owners start at 25% and progressively get stricter; Indian standards authority strengthens regulations for recycled plastic in food contact after receiving pushback
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 17, 2022
Finnish Ministry of Environment along with national food, hospitality, and packaging trade groups sign a voluntary agreement to reduce single-use plastic in the food system; the agreement is voluntary, but if the targets set are not achieved “the reduction in the consumption will be promoted through legislation”
Reading time: 0 minutes
March 16, 2022
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) evaluates eight chemical recycling facilities in the United States; reports that ‘recycled’ material produced by at least five facilities ultimately gets burned for heat or energy production; six facilities are potentially permitted to release hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, styrene, and arsenic; two US states ease restrictions on chemical recycling facilities
Reading time: 3 minutes
March 16, 2022
Four UK supermarket chains announce they are partnering to create a single food refill system that works across all their stores and delivery platforms; want to reduce single-use plastic packaging; details and trial locations to be announced later in 2022
Reading time: 0 minutes
March 15, 2022
University of Queensland opens one of the world’s first plastics contamination-controlled labs jointly with Minderoo Foundation; studies micro- and nanoplastics in human blood and tissue samples; steel walls, cotton lab coats, and extensive testing of all construction materials limits environmental plastic contamination
Reading time: 0 minutes
March 15, 2022
Perspective article highlights extruded polystyrene loophole in the EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive (SUP); SUP bans expanded polystyrene for single-use applications but not structurally similar extruded polystyrene; manufacturers and retailers can switch to alternate material with little net change to hazard or pollution potential
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 15, 2022
Three studies research plastic labeling shortcomings, effectiveness of behavioral interventions; article recommends plastic labels should include sustainability scale, provide regional disposal instructions, and list additives; review considers bigger picture, stakeholder diversity, and several techniques to increase effectiveness of behavioral interventions to reduce single-use plastic consumption; study finds social media does not affect consumer’s intentions to recycle plastics
Reading time: 6 minutes
