EU Commission’s Joint Research Centre baseline study on non-harmonized food contact materials finds shortcomings in risk assessment practices, disparities among national lists of authorized substances, and lack of testing methods; common standards are needed
Substances of very high concern in food contact materials: Migration and regulatory background
Surfactants linked to birth defects
New U.S. scientific study associates exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds with transgenerational birth defects in rodents
New tool to evaluate EDC science
Collaboration of international scientists develop SYRINA framework for reviewing and assessing studies on endocrine disruptors; urge regulators to use these new methods for decision-making
Unwanted chemicals in processed food
Washington Post reports on study linking high fast food consumption to increased urinary phthalate levels, discusses chemical contamination of highly processed and packaged foods
Washington state publishes updates on PFAS, draft criteria
Department of Ecology for the US state of Washington publishes alternatives assessment for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging, identifies alternatives for four packaging types; restrictions will come into force early 2023; working draft criteria defining “safer” and “feasible and available” for alternative assessments released for public comment
Another step towards a UN plastics treaty
Peru and Rwanda introduce a draft resolution to negotiate a global plastic pollution treaty at the inaugural United Nations Ministerial Conference on marine litter and plastic pollution; 33 countries sign on as co-sponsors; more than 80 other nations support a UN resolution on plastics
EFSA BPA assessment protocol: 2nd meeting
EFSA’s CEF Panel Working Group on BPA assessment protocol holds second meeting on the safety reevaluation of BPA; meeting minutes available online
Epidemiology of mixtures: Xenoestrogens and breast cancer
Scientists find strong association between breast cancer risk and total burden of xenoestrogens; in contrast, individual compounds show only weak associations, if any
New book on global FCM legislation
Publication provides overview of food contact legislation worldwide, includes chapters for specific FCMs such as plastics, regenerated cellulose, rubber, paper and card