Formal petition requests revision of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lead standards, calls for banning lead in all FCMs; argues simple measures could significantly decrease lead level exposure from food
Polystyrene loophole criticized in EU Single Use Plastics Directive
Perspective article highlights extruded polystyrene loophole in the EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive (SUP); SUP bans expanded polystyrene for single-use applications but not structurally similar extruded polystyrene; manufacturers and retailers can switch to alternate material with little net change to hazard or pollution potential
Increase in demand for biodegradable films
Demand for biodegradable films forecasted to increase 5.4% annually, reach a market value of $122 million; growing composting infrastructure and government initiatives to reduce landfilling to boost growth
FPF Workshop 2020: Values and transparency in science
Kevin Elliott discusses how values can influence scientific judgements or be themselves affected by them; transparency plays an important role in responding to challenges caused by value-laden judgements; contents and venues chosen for transparent communication need to be adjusted according to each stakeholder’s needs
FPF Workshop 2019: Proceedings online
7th annual Food Packaging Forum workshop focuses on accelerating science and innovation to improve the safety of food contact articles; video recordings, presentation slides, summary articles now available online
FPF Workshop 2020: Scientific research and policy making
Six speakers share their views on how to improve food contact material (FCM) safety; different approaches might complement one another; linking scientific research, policy making and industry initiatives could be the key to safe FCMs
PET bottle value chain addresses NIAS compliance
European PET industry associations form group to focus on regulatory compliance of PET food packaging regarding non-intentionally added substances
Global commitment to tackle plastic pollution
Ellen MacArthur Foundation initiates New Plastics Economy Global Commitment to stop plastic pollution at source; 290+ organizations pledge to eliminate, innovate, circulate plastic packaging
Opinion: Unlearn how to waste plastics
Article by Environmental Health News discusses increasing challenge of plastic waste driven by economic pressure and growth; recycling and bioplastics deemed ‘simple solutions’ incapable of meeting problem’s scale
Demand for glass packaging growing
European Container Glass Federation reports continuing growth of glass packaging production; European consumers favor glass food and drink packaging, according to Friends of Glass survey