Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs calls for evidence to support development of National Food Strategy; plans for ‘radical shake-up of the UK’s food industry’; consultation open online until October 25, 2019
Two food contact chemicals added to SVHC Candidate List
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds four chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC); two of the substances are known to be used in food contact applications; obligates producers and suppliers to provide safety information and to notify ECHA
Studies highlight presence of antioxidants in Chinese food contact materials
Recent studies explore the presence and migration of diverse synthetic antioxidants in Chinese food contact materials (FCMs); both phosphite antioxidants and synthetic phenolic antioxidants are commonly found; typically, FCMs contain several mg of synthetic antioxidants per kg FCM and may be the primary source of exposure to synthetic antioxidants; some commonly found antioxidants are suspected endocrine disruptors
EU Parliament approves new waste policy
EU Parliament votes in favor of waste legislation package; 2030 recycling targets set at 60% for municipal waste and 70% for packaging; manufacturers to make information on SVHC content in products available to public
U.S. TV channel reports on hormone disruptors from consumer products
NBC Dateline reporter tests herself and her young children for BPA, phthalates and triclosan exposure from food packaging and other everyday products
Chemical biomarkers of breast cancer identified
New study points out breast cancer chemical biomarkers for breast cancer epidemiology, biomonitoring and prevention
EC to amend plastics regulation later in 2022
European Commission informs of planned amendments to (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials; clarification that regulation applies to non-recycled plastics; adapts rules on migration testing for multilayer materials; introduces purity requirements; feedback period planned for later this year, adoption by end of 2022
US FDA adds 15 substances to food contact inventory
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds 15 new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance Notifications (FCNs) since October 2021; FDA proposes update to procedure to determine when FCNs are no longer effective; update open for comment until April 11, 2022
New coalition for EDC scientists
New organization Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies (HEEDS) aims to support better coordinated and more efficient research in the field of endocrine disrupting chemicals; built as a non-profit coalition by scientists for scientists
EU parliament approves food law revisions
EU Parliament votes to approve revisions to the EU’s General Food Law; next step for Council of Ministers to formally approve text before entering into force