German risk assessment institute answers frequently asked questions about mineral oil migration from cardboard food packaging, recommends using virgin fibers, mineral-oil-free printing inks, functional barriers
BPA: thermal paper is a source of high exposure
Hand sanitizer use before thermal receipt handling may lead to increased BPA levels
Chitosan-GFSE food packaging
Scientists use grapefruit seed extract to fortify natural chitosan-based composite film; newly created food packaging material, free from chemical additives, doubles the shelf-life of perishables by slowing fungal growth
Brominated flame retardants detected in Korean FCMs
Varying levels of the four major brominated flame retardants found in polystyrene food contact materials
UK supermarket removes plastic packaging
UK retailer Iceland to replace plastic packaging of own-brand products with paper and pulp by 2023; supports initiatives for plastic bottle deposit return scheme
PAC launches PIP 360° benchmarking tool
PAC Packaging Consortium free online tool scores product packaging based on factors including material type, weight, reuse/recyclability, renewable/recycled content; provides single score with recommendations for improvement
Chemical burdens unbalanced
Majority of chemicals used without safety assessment; increased disease incidences
EU urged to authorize recycling for food contact
Industry association Plastics Recyclers Europe calls on EU Commission to officially authorize EFSA-evaluated processes for use of recycled plastics in food contact applications
Epigenesis in response to stress and toxicants
Adverse environmental influences during childhood act through epigenetic mechanisms to increase disease rates in adults; trigger factors include stress and childhood trauma, malnourishment, exposure to toxicants
European Parliament adopts amended Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
Includes ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and bisphenol A in food packaging and general packaging reduction targets; decreases reuse obligations