Packaging of frozen food tested positive for coronavirus in Chinese cities; no evidence of new infections after large-scale testing campaign; experts consider risk of transmission via food and packaging to be low
Food Packaging Forum 11th Annual Workshop
Glass industry launches sustainability label
European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) announces the launch of a new symbol for recycling on glass packaging; describes it as highlighting the brands’ commitments towards sustainability and health; to be promoted for use on all glass packaging applications including food and beverage, pharma, perfumery, cosmetic products
Perchlorate from food packaging
Civil Eats discusses the existence of perchlorate in foods as well as upstream sources from packaging and processing; decision from U.S. Food and Drug Administration on allowed use still pending
Opinion: REACH authorizations hinder innovation
ChemSec discusses how authorization of toxic substances under REACH hurts innovation and promotion of safer alternatives
Circular Economy Forum
Packaging: Food waste vs. plastic waste
C&EN presents the debate on the costs of food packaging made of flexible plastics and multilayered structures: Less food waste and economic benefits vs. more difficult recycling and negative environmental impacts
"Zero-waste" retailers
The Huffington Post reports on U.S. grocery stores offering only bulk, unpackaged food and household products to reduce food and packaging waste
BPA in cans from ethnic stores
Center for Environmental Health provides information on BPA presence in coatings of cans sold in small ethnic stores in U.S.; finds BPA in coatings of over 90% of surveyed cans; calls for listing of these products in California’s Proposal65 database on BPA
EU urged to authorize recycling for food contact
Industry association Plastics Recyclers Europe calls on EU Commission to officially authorize EFSA-evaluated processes for use of recycled plastics in food contact applications