News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
June 11, 2021
Representative Rosa DeLauro introduces Toxic Free Food Act to United States House of Representatives; bill would require US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to publicly review all chemicals related to food that are currently allowed under the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) rule; novel chemicals and carcinogens would no longer be allowed under GRAS
Reading time: 1 minute
June 9, 2021
Scientists analyze migration of chemicals and microplastics from microwavable food containers; identify dozens of intentionally and non-intentionally added substances and up to over one million microplastics per liter in food simulants; migration partly exceeds Cramer class-based recommendations
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 9, 2021
Recent articles in scientific journals analyze plastic packaging and adhesive materials used in contact with food for phthalate content and migration; polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cling films and adhesive labels are source of phthalate contamination to food; food characteristics, e.g., structure of fruit peel, lipid content, influence migration level; recommend avoiding direct food contact to labels, minimizing exposure time
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 9, 2021
Several recent reviews examine the value chain of biobased polymers; discuss clarification of terms such as biobased, degradable, biodegradable, and compostable; define “biotechnological recycling (bio-recycling)” as the use of enzymes and microorganisms in a technological setting to biodegrade polymers; three biodegradable polymers assessed in marine field trials
Reading time: 5 minutes
June 4, 2021
Recent research articles look at relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from packaging and human reproductive health; find no relationship between a woman’s reported use of plastic food packaging and pregnancy duration and birthweight; identify potential non-monotonic dose-response relationship between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure and woman’s reported infertility
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 4, 2021
Environmental Science and Technology publishes paper proposing the establishment of the Global Plastic Pollution Observation System; would assist evidence-based policymaking by standardizing data collection on plastic pollution in atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems; serve as “umbrella” by partnering with existing programs and initiatives at multiple scales
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 4, 2021
European Commission seeks stakeholder views on the “principles of Safe and Sustainable by Design when applied to chemicals and materials, and… [possible] criteria for a safe and sustainable-by-design approach”; works toward implementing vision of the European Green Deal and Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; survey open until June 30, 2021
Topics: chemicals strategy, European Commission
Reading time: 0 minutes
June 3, 2021
NGOs in the United States including the Environmental Defense Fund, Center for Food Safety, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and the League of Conservation Voters, send petition to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling on the agency to ban all PFAS in food packaging; US Representative Dingell plans to introduce legislation banning PFAS to US House of Representatives
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 2, 2021
Innovate UK seeks applications from UK businesses, institutions, charities, etc. to fund ambitious projects addressing UK Plastic Pact targets; project foci include: minimization/reduction of plastic packaging, food grade recycled polypropylene and polyethylene, and packaging suitable for reuse, refill; application open until September 8, 2021
Reading time: 0 minutes
June 2, 2021
In preparation for the EU Single-Use Plastic Directive taking effect July 3, 2021, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) releases short report on alternatives to plastic straws; suggests silicone, stainless steel or glass for frequent use; for single-use, durum wheat with cold drinks and paper or board are safe if no chemicals of concern added
Reading time: 0 minutes
