News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
September 23, 2021
Review identifies and discusses three approaches to limit chemical migration from recycled paperboard to make it acceptable for food applications; considers internal bags with an incorporated barrier, barrier layers, and functional sorbents added to the board; study on migration from paper cups identifies exposures to vanadium and fluoride
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 22, 2021
UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights issues report on the stages of the plastics cycle and their impacts on human rights; calls “the whole cycle of plastics… a global threat to human rights”
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 21, 2021
Environmental Science and Technology feature article discusses six urgent questions to be answered to address worldwide per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances’ (PFAS) contamination and health impacts; describes importance, barriers, and ways forward for each question; emphasizes the need for cooperation, increased transparency, consideration of environmental equity; US FDA’s budget request calls for increased investment in addressing PFAS
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 20, 2021
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launches database of all notifications from EU companies of products containing Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs); contains over 4 million article notifications from 6000 companies; includes articles such as food processors; Swedish Chemicals Agency launches pilot project to identify potentially hazardous chemicals early in product design process
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 20, 2021
In segment Count on It Dulcé Sloan interviews experts on ‘the sperm recession;’ reports semen volume, sperm count has declined in last 50 years while erectile dysfunction, testicular cancer has increased; discusses chemical pollution from plastics, personal care products as potential causes
Topics: phthalates, US
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 17, 2021
European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) symposium summarizes current approaches for microplastic monitoring; research institutions present results of 4 inter-laboratory microplastic analysis comparison studies; no ‘one-size-fits-all' analytical method, presenters emphasize need for harmonization; Commission outlines policy needs
Reading time: 4 minutes
September 15, 2021
First in US regulation to only allow recyclability labels on packaging if > 60% of the population has access to suitable recycling facilities; bill supported by local recyclers to reduce recycling contamination; Governor expected to sign into law by October 10, 2021
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 14, 2021
New report of NGO ClientEarth explores risks of single-use plastic packaging; warns investors that food companies and supermarkets neglecting plastic pollution-related risk to face reputational damage and legal action
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 10, 2021
Research study identifies 8 of 13 benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVSs) as endocrine disruptors; finds 8 of 9 tested BUVSs in polyolefin packaging
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 9, 2021
Scientific study investigates effect of plasticizer exposure during pregnancy on thyroid function; outcomes suggest several phthalate metabolites disrupt thyroid hormone levels; finds association of phthalate-alternative DINCH with thyroxine levels
Reading time: 3 minutes
