News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
June 15, 2021
Nature Sustainability publishes research integrating litter inventories from seven aquatic environments around the globe; finds food packaging makes up the largest share of litter in all aquatic environments (50-88%), except the open ocean; of 112 litter types, 10 make up 75% of litter; top 4 items come from food packaging (44% of total): plastic bags, plastic bottles, food containers, cutlery, and wrappers
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 14, 2021
Global PFAS Science Council comments on proposed revision of European Union classification, labeling and packaging (CLP) regulation; calls for the CLP to “introduce persistence as a stand-alone hazard classification”
Reading time: 1 minute
June 14, 2021
Scientists at the German Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) give practical recommendations for food supply companies, associations as well as decision-makers related to reducing single-use and supporting multiple-use packaging, recycling, and innovation on a technological and organizational level
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 11, 2021
Multidisciplinary panel by Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) discusses how consumers perceive biodegradable plastics; reviews how communication can support management and proper disposal; identifies market and policy options to increase awareness
Topics: biodegradability, bioplastics
Reading time: 0 minutes
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
