New study provides evidence that fish eat plastic debris because it acquires the smell of their food when residing in the ocean
Baby foods as dominant pathway for infant exposure to antioxidants
Targeted analysis demonstrates widespread contamination of Chinese baby foods with traditional and novel antioxidants; plastic food packaging identified as one source; prevalent and high migration of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol from different types of plastics
Overview of regulations and risk assessment of EDCs in FCMs
Peer-reviewed article provides summary of migration and risk assessment methods used internationally to address endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in food contact materials (FCMs); discusses legislative trends, remaining challenges
Analysis finds pesticides, PFAS in plant-based packaging
EU consumer groups find chemicals of concern above recommended limits in single-use tableware made of molded plant fiber or palm leaf, and paper straws; of 57 sampled items, 53% have chemical concentrations above recommended limits, including 100% of molded plant-fiber plates and bowls; per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in 66% of articles, pesticide residues in 28%; argues EU must create chemical regulations for non-plastic single-use food packaging
Systematic review finds evidence “robust” that BPA reduces semen quality
Scientists review the association between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and declines in semen quality based on animal and epidemiological studies; assess weight of evidence of associations and estimate BPA reference dose of 0.003 µg/kg/d for male reproductive health for use in mixture risk assessments
Prioritization of potential genotoxics in FCMs
Learn more about prioritization of potentially genotoxic substances in printed paper and board food contact materials with guest speaker from Sciensano
Save the date: FPF workshop October 6-8, 2021
Food Packaging Forum’s 2021 workshop to take place virtually in three sessions on October 6th, 7 th, and 8th, 2021; expert talks and discussion sessions to focus on understanding different perspectives and working together to make food contact materials safer; registration now open
US FDA to review safety of BPA in food contact
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agrees to review the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) for use in food packaging; agency is responding to a petition filed by US civil society organizations after the European Food Safety Authority lowered official tolerable daily intake level of BPA by 100,000-fold
PFAS measuring protocols likely underestimate total concentrations
Study of PFAS concentrations in consumer products finds that US Environmental Protection Agency protocol likely does not “adequately capture PFAS embodied in consumer products”; also finds “large fraction” of surface and groundwaters exceed regulatory concentrations; “future PFAS environmental burden is likely underestimated”
Study assesses migration from recycled HDPE milk bottles
Paper in Resources, Conservation, and Recycling investigates chemical migration from recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE); when recycled milk bottles mixed with non-milk-bottle rHDPE, resulting plastic contaminated with chemicals of concern; rHDPE from well-sorted, decontaminated milk bottles may be clean enough for food contact; octocrylene and octinoxate still migrate at concerning levels, reduction may require further decontamination or changes in manufacturing or legislation