Scientists show that for PET bottles accelerated migration tests overestimate real long-term migration; suggest use of migrant- and polymer-specific diffusion parameters instead of default values
China approves new FCMs, additives, resins
National Health Commission announces newly approved additives for food contact materials (FCMs), expanded FCM uses, and resins for use in plastics and coatings
Tenax film for migration experiments
Scientists develop Tenax film as a more convenient alternative to Tenax powder to be used as dry foods simulant in migration experiments; migration into film is lower than into powder, offers more realistic estimation of migration into food
Alternative toxicity testing in the U.S.
U.S. EPA publishes draft strategy for use of alternative toxicity tests in evaluation of chemicals under updated chemicals regulation
EFSA evaluates Gneuss recycling for PET
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers PET made from Gneuss recycling processes safe for use in food contact articles intended ‘for long-term storage at room temperature with all types of food stuffs’; trays made of this recycled PET not to be used in microwave or conventional oven
New scientific evidence in the BPA controversy
Under the tongue BPA exposure leads to uptake into the blood via transfer through mouth mucosa skin
Study: migration into dry foods higher than US FDA assumption
Comprehensive literature review in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants investigates substance migration into dry foods and food simulants; review analyses: foods off store shelves, foods and food simulants in experimental settings, food particle characteristics, and packaging material; finds migration commonly exceeds 50 µg/kg assumed migration rate of dry foods according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
ExeMPLaR webinar series on plastics
University of Exeter research hub to host monthly webinars focusing on aspects within Regional Plastics project; first webinar takes place October 8, 2019; all events to be recorded and made available to registered members
ACC challenges listing DINP under Proposition 65
American Chemistry Council (ACC) submits petition to California’s supreme court challenging listing of diisononyl phthalate (DINP); highest court has at least 60 days to decide on petition and make final ruling
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