New study questions validity of important biomonitoring data collection, reported caloric intake does not correspond to physiologic features
Nano applications in food
EFSA-commissioned study finds nanotechnology most often used for food additives, food contact materials; nanoencapsulates, silver, titanium dioxide, silica common; increasing use of organic nanomaterials
ECHA shortlists 236 substances for scrutiny
EU Member States to examine 236 substances shortlisted in ECHA’s annual screening exercise for potential health and environmental risks; list not publicly available
UBA: third report on compliance of REACH registrations
German Environment Agency (UBA) examines REACH registration dossiers for medium tonnage band chemicals, finds 24% are non-compliant and 31% are too complex to determine compliance, concludes that dossier improvements may be needed
News from the EU Commission on food contact materials
EU Commission plans authorization of two new substances for use in food contact plastics, postpones discussions on new ceramics legislation and discusses Declaration of Compliance issues
Guide for FCM regulation in the UK
UK’s Food Standards Agency releases food contact materials (FCM) authorization guide; no reauthorization needed for plastic or regenerated cellulose film additives authorized in the EU before January 1, 2021; application process for new substances will take up to 15 months; Northern Ireland will remain under EU rules
Opinion: BPA in food packaging should be illegal
Member of European Parliament suggests banning bisphenol A due to findings of French study
Webinar on computational predictive toxicology projects
American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology (ASCCT) to hold webinar on May 26, 2020, discussing three recently completed projects developing collaborative in silico toxicology models
Public consultation on EFSA’s independence policy
EFSA launches public consultation on its draft policy on independence; deadline for submitting comments is May 5, 2017
New plastics economy innovation prize
Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches New Plastics Economy Innovation Prize, calls for innovators to redesign packaging to prevent plastic ocean pollution and loss of economic value