Non-governmental organization Baltic Environmental Forum Germany (BEF) publishes brochure providing general introduction and overview of hazardous chemicals in food contact materials (FCMs), common material types, tips for reducing exposure
Hazardous substances in food contact
A new scientific publication by the Food Packaging Forum identifies hazardous substances legally used in food contact
EU food alert system annual report 2015
Rapid alert system for food and feed (RASFF) 2015 annual report published; 152 notifications for food contact materials; migration of chromium most notified issue
Opinion: EDC criteria and potency
Scientists for Scientific European Commission Regulation publish opinion on the European Commission’s criteria for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); call for potency to be an aspect of regulatory EDC identification in line with industry views but not supported by the Endocrine Society
Chemical migration into coffee, canned vegetables, and Indian curd
Three research studies investigate the occurrence of chemicals in food packaging and migration into food; find average of 330 µg oligoesters migrating from cans per kg drained vegetables; report most extractable chemicals from low-density polyethylene Dahi curd packaging not included in India’s positive list; detect low levels of phthalic acid esters in coffee obtained from single-use capsules
Substitution analysis for plastic packaging
Life cycle assessment study commissioned by American Chemistry Council finds packaging plastics to have more favorable environmental profile than alternatives made of glass, metal, paper, textile, wood
EFSA’s activities on emerging risks
European Food Safety Authority publishes report summarizing activities related to emerging risk identification in 2018; considers food contact additives and related challenges of substituting materials
EDC criteria awaited
CHEM Trust summarizes events surrounding the setting of EDC criteria in the EU; proposes science-based criteria considering endocrine mode of action linked to adverse effect; potency should not be included in criteria
Method for measuring nanoparticles
Scientific publication details new method for measuring the precise dose of nanomaterials in cells and fluids, important advancement for risk assessment of entire material class
FDA bans 2 more perfluorinated substances
Two perfluoroalkyl containing oil and water repellents can no longer be used in paper and board FCMs in the U.S.; petition to FDA claimed the substances’ use has been abandoned