Internal briefing document reveals EU Commission’s past intention for legal action against France’s ban of bisphenol A in food contact materials; Commission-internal disagreements put case on hold
EU Commission presents EDC strategy
European Commission publishes communication outlining the EU’s strategic approach to managing endocrine disruptors; NGOs criticize lack of specific actions and missing timeline to reduce EDC exposure
Studies investigate extractable and leachable FCCs, present collision cross section database
Scientists develop collisions cross section (CCS) database for leachable and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCs) to help in chemical identification during targeted and untargeted analysis; database covers 1038 CCS values; study tentatively identifies >100 migrants from 24 plastic food packaging articles including 11 that are of potential concern or are priority hazardous substances
Chinese authorities approve new additives, resins for FCMs
Seven new additives and ten new resins approved for use in food contact materials (FCMs), others received expanded scope of use
Summer 2023 research snapshot: PFAS in food packaging, food, and potential health impacts
A summary of eight studies; scientists quantify per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in French fast food packaging; detect eleven PFAS in baking trays from China but not Spain; find PFAS in straws made of paper, bamboo, glass, and plastic; “compostable” service ware can contaminate compost with PFAS; find PFAS in edible oil worldwide; further articles focus on PFAS in drinking water, in Asia, and effects on child respiratory health
Study links phthalate exposure and thyroid function in humans
Scientific study investigates effect of plasticizer exposure during pregnancy on thyroid function; outcomes suggest several phthalate metabolites disrupt thyroid hormone levels; finds association of phthalate-alternative DINCH with thyroxine levels
Plastic component made from CO2
U.S. company Liquid Light produces PET component from CO2; agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to further develop technology
Report critically reviews brands’ plastics commitments
New report by the Changing Markets Foundation investigates commitments on plastic packaging made by largest food and consumer goods companies; criticizes consistently failed promises, sees voluntary initiatives as tactics to distract from and avoid responsibility
US FDA updates to food contact inventory since August 2022
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds 26 new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance Notifications (FCNs) since August 2022
Oligomers in biodegradable food packaging
Study of non-volatile components of biodegradable polyester and polylactic acid blend identifies 37 different compounds including plasticizers and oligomers, some seen only in migration experiments