U.S. EPA releases draft toxicity assessments for fluorinated substances ‘GenX chemicals’ and PFBS used as replacements for PFOA and PFOS; public comments accepted for 60 days after publication in Federal Register
Barrier films to prevent migration of mineral oils from FCMs
German company develops barrier films to prevent migration of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) into food
New study: Chronic diseases caused by chemical exposures in great-grandmothers
Epigenetic mechanisms thought to be responsible for health effects in rat offspring after great-grandmothers were exposed to a chemical mixture during pregnancy
Mineral oils in chocolate Santas
Foodwatch study finds typical Christmas chocolates and sweets to contain mineral oil residues; demands recall of affected products
Ames test insufficient for genotoxicity of FCMs
Scientists deem Ames test unsuitable as standalone method to evaluate genotoxicity of FCM migrates, suggest complementing it with chemical information
Study investigates quantity and risk of oligomers in PBT
Researchers analyze oligomer in extracts and migrates of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) food contact articles also comparing levels in food and food simulants; report human exposure to oligomers can exceed daily threshold in some scenarios; express the need for toxicological evaluation of PBT oligomers
Indonesia updating national regulation on food contact materials
Indonesia’s draft food contact regulation reorganizes material groups; includes positive and negative substance lists, specific and overall migration limits; testing guidance based on food type, contact time, and temperature; public consultation closed in December 2023, final version expected in 2024
Mapping microplastics in the male reproductive system
Study provides an in-depth look at microplastics in the male reproductive system, analyzes human and mouse samples to chart concentrations and polymer types; finds microplastics in all human testes samples and majority of semen samples; larger plastic particles may get trapped in testis, leading to higher concentrations; identifies correlation between urbanization, home-cooked meals, and body scrub used to microplastics concentration
EU environment committee supports draft BPA regulation
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee votes in favor of EU Commission’s draft regulation on bisphenol A in food contact materials
NIAS in polypropylene films
Scientists study migration from food packaging films made of polypropylene; 74 compounds identified, 76% of them NIAS; 35% of samples show migration exceeding either SML or Cramer class-based recommendations