Scientists show that exposure to low-dose BPA during fetal development interferes with leptin and hypothalamic feeding circuitry, disrupts regulation of feeding behavior, predisposes to obesity in later life
Canada working towards zero plastic waste
Canadian government plans to establish federal plastics registry and release regulatory framework for plastic packaging; aim to improve knowledge of plastic waste, value recovery, and pollution; measures are open for comment until May 18, 2023; NGO urges government to expand ban on non-recyclable plastic packaging and take further action.
Workshop on BPA hazard assessment protocol
EFSA opens registration for stakeholder workshop on BPA hazard assessment protocol to be held in Brussels on September 14, 2017 following the closure of the currently-running public consultation
EFSA BPA assessment protocol: 10th meeting
EFSA’s CEF Panel Working Group on BPA assessment protocol holds tenth meeting on the reevaluation of BPA safety; meeting minutes available online
Plastic additives inventory published
ECHA and Cefic publish inventory of additives added to plastics in EU; identify 419 high volume substances with various functions
Framework for polymer risk assessment
ECETOC publishes conceptual framework for risk assessment of polymers; considers polymer diversity, presence of intentionally and non-intentionally added substances
Study finds microplastics harm immune cells
Researchers at University Medical Center Utrecht observe that immune cell death rate triples after contact with microplastics; presents results at Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam on October 3, 2019
Date labels on packaging confuse consumers
Printed dates on food packaging found to be confusing for U.S. consumers and lead to food waste; date labels often communicate quality rather than safety; calls exist for further standardization
Fiber tray to replace black plastic
Supermarket chain Waitrose & Partners introduces fiber based packaging for ready-made meals; tray is microwave and oven safe, recyclable in paper stream, compostable at home
The Intercept article on plastic waste
Article discusses growing use of plastics and calls into question the effectiveness of current and future recycling efforts, skeptical of recent brand and retailer efforts to adapt their uses of plastic packaging