Experts from industry and academia explain fundamental concepts and legal background of chemical substitutions; discuss practical challenges in replacing chemicals of concern in food packaging materials
Scientists present and apply spectral database on plastic additives
Researchers develop high-resolution spectral database and method for the identification of 56 selected organic plastic additives; indicates presence of multiple additives when applied to polypropylene and polylactic acid food packaging; highlight chemical signature not polymer but product dependent and “bioplastic” just as conventional plastics contain harmful additives
Emerging chemical risks in food
Study by European Food Safety Authority identifies 212 substances fully registered under REACH to pose ‘potential chemical risks’ in the food chain
Lead and arsenic in food contact paper
Low migration of lead and arsenic measured in food contact paper bought in Korea; resulting human exposure estimated to be within safe levels
Collaborative to verify and register safer chemical alternatives
Chem Forward and Sustainable Packaging Coalition launch collaborative to identify, assess, and verify safer alternatives for use in food packaging; plan to develop cloud-based registration system, highlight best practices, develop common agenda to accelerate systemic change
Scientific studies evaluate microplastic effects on human cells
Rapid review assesses microplastics impacts on human cells and reports thresholds of effects lower than previously predicted; scientific study finds polystyrene (PS) microplastics to have nephrotoxic potential; reproduction and fertility study with mice reports PS microplastics to affect females more than males
Conference on EDCs in the European Union
EU Commission holds public conference on endocrine disrupting chemicals regulation, shares information on impact assessment and next steps
ECHA recognizes PFBS as substance of very high concern
European member states agree to recognize perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) as a substance of very high concern (SVHC); cite equivalent concern to carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic substances, high mobility in environment
EFSA safety assessment of PVC additive
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel publishes safety assessment of di(m-2,20,200-nitrilotris(ethanol)-diperchlorato)dinatrium as a thermal stabilizer additive up 0.15% by weight in rigid reusable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water bottles
New NIAS detected in polyester-phenolic can coating extracts
Scientists analyze non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) extracted from six model polyester-phenolic can coatings; identify cyclic polyester oligomers and new aldehydes