Six U.S. NGOs file lawsuit against U.S. Food and Drug Administration over denial of earlier petition to ban perchlorate in FCMs; accuse FDA of ‘not protecting our health,’ call for petition reassessment
Opinion: GRAS overhaul is not a priority issue
Legal consultant reviews GRAS debate in major newspaper, GRAS review is of less importance than heart disease, obesity and economic issues
NGO criticizes EFSA opinion on EDCs
PAN Europe submits an open letter to the Commissioner Borg criticizing EFSA’s endocrine active substance definition
Research to develop affordable phthalate alternative
US National Science Fund grants fund to University of California, research on safe and affordable phthalate alternative
New York Governor proposes stricter limits on chemicals in packaging
New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposes limiting PFAS, heavy metals, and phthalates in all packaging to 100 ppm by weight by 2024; also urges extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging; at least six other states considering packaging EPR legislation; state-owned or contracted foodservice facilities in California must now use food packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable
FDA issues final rule to streamline food contact notification process
U.S. Food and Drug Administration implements new rule on food contact authorization; aimed at enhancing food chemical safety administrative processes; enables administration to assess substances beyond safety considerations; effective on May 21, 2024
EDC criteria should be science-based
Endocrine Society meets European Commissioner, highlights EDCs as public health threat and urges Commissioner to adopt science-based criteria without potency cutoffs
EFSA evaluates zinc oxide nanoparticles for use in FCMs
CEF Panel considers zinc oxide to be safe in nanoform, concerns exist over migration of soluble ionic zinc
EFSA evaluates 2 new substances for use in FCMs
Adipic acid dihydrazide and 1,7-octadiene are not of a safety concern for consumers
Safety of nanomaterials in food and packaging
Food Standards Australia New Zealand finds no safety concern for titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide and silver in food; no migration of nano-clay and nanosilver from food packaging