News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
March 11, 2022
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) provides comments following a European Commission stakeholder consultation workshop on the essential use concept (ESU); finds integration of an ESU in EU’s food contact materials (FCM) regulation increases FCM safety by allowing easier and more efficient management of harmful chemicals; recommends integrating ESU into EU FCM regulations during current revision process
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 9, 2022
New version of the UP Scorecard features over 70 additional foodware and food packaging products; simpler navigation across menus, and improved customization of containers; helps companies compare common products to make more sustainable purchasing decisions based on six impact areas
Topics: life cycle assessment, scorecard
Reading time: 1 minute
March 8, 2022
150 chemicals have been measured to migrate from PET bottles into drinks; 18 chemicals exceed EU migration limits, only 41 included in EU’s regulations on plastic food contact materials; most migrating chemicals are non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); systematic review includes 91 studies
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 7, 2022
Food Packaging Forum publishes fact sheet about bioplastics; clarifies the meaning of the terms “bio-based” and “biodegradable;” discusses aspects of bioplastic production, chemical safety, and implications for bioplastics use and disposal
Reading time: 1 minute
March 7, 2022
Over 500 stakeholders call in to virtual workshop to hear initial thoughts on incorporating the essential use concept into EU chemicals legislation, and to provide feedback
Topics: chemicals strategy, essential use
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 4, 2022
Fifth meeting of the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi unanimously agrees to the development of a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution; development process including consultations to begin by end of 2022, treaty expected by the end of 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 2, 2022
European Commission (EC) opens consultation period on the use of styrene as a food contact material; considering developing migration limit for styrene into food; stakeholder survey open until April 11, 2022
Reading time: 1 minute
March 2, 2022
UK Plastics Pact publishes second round of ‘problem plastics’ to eliminate by end of 2022; includes non-compostable fruit and vegetable stickers, non-compostable tea and coffee bags, PVC film; longer term goal to remove packaging from whole fruits and vegetables; Pact has reduced consumer packaging 10% between 2018 and 2020
Topics: plastic ban, plastics
Reading time: 0 minutes
March 1, 2022
UK civil society organization Wrap finds selling produce without plastic packaging and date labels would save 100,000 tons food and 10,300 tons plastic in UK yearly; fruits and vegetables studied have the same shelf life without packaging; packaging sizes encourage overconsumption; date labeling encourages early disposal; Foodwatch petitions German government to ban plastic packaging for produce by 2026
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 28, 2022
Scientists with expertise on the effects of chemicals and pollution from plastics urge the United States to support a binding plastics treaty; promote Rwanda and Peru’s resolution as one considering the entire life cycle of plastics
Reading time: 1 minute
