News
The Food Packaging Forum reports on recent developments across the food packaging and health field.
April 8, 2021
Civil society organization As You Sow releases report investigating financial risks of shifting investments from fossil fuels to petrochemical sector, including plastics; finds $400 billion at risk of becoming stranded assets, relies on rising demand in low-income countries; neglects climate impacts, plastic pollution, circular economy goals; advises investors to re-evaluate risks and take action
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 8, 2021
Belgian Member of European Parliament (MEP) Frédérique Ries publishes article urging European Commission to follow-through in restricting hazardous chemicals in revised food contact materials (FCMs) regulation; criticizes REACH restricted chemicals still being allowed for use in FCMs
Topics: European Parliament, regulation
Reading time: 0 minutes
April 8, 2021
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announces call for experts to join its Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC); roles to support chemical risk assessments, chemical substitutions and alternatives analyses, socio-economic analyses; applications accepted until May 7, 2021
Topics: ECHA
Reading time: 0 minutes
April 7, 2021
German authorities notify World Trade Organization (WTO) about intention to restrict mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food contact materials and articles made from recycled paper and board; sets migration limits into food (<0.5 mg/kg) and food simulant (<0.15 mg/kg); will come into effect three years after publication
Reading time: 1 minute
April 6, 2021
Government authority publishes draft ban set to come into force in three phases; would ban import, manufacture, and sale of plastic candy and ice cream sticks after January 1, 2022; expands ban to include plates, cups, cutlery, trays, certain wrapping films after July 1, 2022; proposal open for public comment until May 2021
Reading time: 1 minute
April 6, 2021
New set of data tables from US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published in four volumes; includes human exposure data for persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, and a focus on exposures of adult cigarette smokers; over 70 new chemicals measured including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Reading time: 0 minutes
April 6, 2021
Ball Corporation commissioned report compares recycling rates across US states for rigid plastics, glass, aluminum and steel cans, and cardboard for 2018; best overall recycling rates found for Maine (72%); results based on multiple data sources including US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, municipalities, waste processors; finds high recycling rates correlate with presence of deposit return systems, curb recycling, extended producer responsibility schemes
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 6, 2021
Event brings together EU government agencies, research institutions, stakeholders to discuss endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs); program includes presentations, panel discussions, advances in testing methods, actions on EDCs in the ‘Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability ‘
Reading time: 1 minute
March 31, 2021
‘Mind the Store’ campaign publishes updated report card scoring 50 major North American retailers on their actions to remove toxic chemicals from their products; finds improvement over last year in 70% of companies reviewed, focus has remained on eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ortho-phthalates, and bisphenols from products
Reading time: 1 minute
March 31, 2021
Greenpeace Switzerland publishes statement and report, criticizes increasing focus on plastic collection and recycling; argues this misleads consumers, hinders implementation of reuse and extended producer responsibility, recommends providing necessary infrastructure, adaptation of logistics, implementing reuse and return models
Reading time: 1 minute
