News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
November 23, 2021
Finds global virgin plastic production for signatory brands and retailers has likely peaked; progress so far driven by recycling, but warns recycling is not the solution and elimination of single-use packaging urgently needed; separate reports find US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling rates decreasing and Australia not meeting plastic recycling targets
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 23, 2021
Department of the Environment now requiring reporting from all manufacturers, importers, and users of bisphenol A (BPA) and over 180 alternative substances during the year 2019; includes commercial status, downstream uses; March 16, 2022 set as deadline for data submission
Reading time: 0 minutes
November 22, 2021
Taiwanese cohort study examines prenatal phthalate exposure effects on infant birth weight and gestational age; reports higher impact on male neonates
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 22, 2021
Scientists, activists, industry and policy makers share findings and future needs that address the plastic pollution crisis; recycling plastics is ineffective strategy; concern over possible health effects of micro- and nanoplastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 18, 2021
Researchers analyze options to increase recycling rates; laboratory study reports using untargeted migrants analysis as a feasible tool to discern recycled from virgin polyethylene (PE); stakeholder analysis finds equal involvement of all relevant actors needed to improve PET plastic recycling
Reading time: 3 minutes
November 17, 2021
Technical regulation sets specific migration limits for lead and cadmium from glass and ceramic food contact materials (FCMs); provides guides on which products are within scope, limits vary with article type and size
Reading time: 1 minute
November 16, 2021
New strategy sets out five objectives including improving markets for recycled commodities, increasing collection, and standardizing measurements; sets nationwide recycling rate target of 50% by 2030; agency to work with stakeholders over coming months on implementation
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 16, 2021
Additional health and toxicology studies published through January 2021 now included in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) database; free resource organizes information from 1068 published studies for 29 different PFAS
Reading time: 1 minute
November 15, 2021
New peer-reviewed scientific study by the Food Packaging Forum and academic scientists shows regulatory ‘safe’ limits for human exposure to phthalates may be set at levels not sufficiently protective of human health; analysis reviews 38 human health studies; highlights need for revising current approach and to re-assess the safety of chemicals already on the market
Reading time: 3 minutes
November 10, 2021
Research study compares different techniques for oligomer detection and finds polyester oligomers migrate from biopolymers; book chapter discusses catalysts, volatile organic compounds, and additives in bio-based products, including their migration and safety
Reading time: 3 minutes
