Dutch institute for public health studies national population’s exposure to bisphenol A from food, finds total intake well below tolerable daily intake, shows no single food source contributes mainly to exposure
Survey shows European consumers lack information about food contact articles
European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) surveys EU consumers on experience, knowledge, and attitude on food packaging; consumers feel under informed; 90% of consumers support stricter rules to prevent health effects; recommends overhaul of EU food contact policies
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
New report on single-use plastic and food waste
Report by Friends of the Earth Europe, Zero Waste Europe, Rethink Plastic Alliance finds single-use plastic packaging not effective at reducing food waste, proposes solutions to cut both plastic and food waste
EFSA CEP Panel updates from November 2021 to April 2022
Minutes available from recent meetings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) working groups on food contact materials (FCMs), bisphenol A (BPA), recycling plastics, phthalates, and extraction solvents
Innovation challenge for greener chemicals
Collaborative industry innovation challenge leads to development of safer preservatives for consumer products
Denmark moves ahead with PFAS ban in FCMs
Ministry confirms cardboard and paper food contact materials (FCMs) in the country will not be allowed to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) after July 1, 2020; exceptions will be made for FCMs with a functional barrier that prevents migration into food
EPR regulations expanded in Canada and US
Canadian province of Ontario expands extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for paper packaging from covering half of recycling cost to full cost by 2023; adds single-use food packaging to program; legislatures in US states of Maine and Oregon pass EPR legislation that includes food packaging; governors of both states need to sign for bills to become law
Discount retailers pushed to act on harmful chemicals
Center for Environmental Health and Campaign for Healthier Solutions urge U.S. discount retailers to take action on fluorinated chemicals in microwave popcorn bags
ECHA adopts substance evaluation plan
Member states adopt community rolling action plan (CoRAP) and plan to evaluate 29 substances in 2019, some of which used in food contact materials