Research demonstrates widescale environmental microplastic contamination and human exposure, effects on all levels of biological organizations, and emerging evidence of negative human health impacts; review’s authors foresee data gaps to be closed within next ten years but call for immediate policy action based on precautionary principle to minimize unintended consequences
Updated meeting minutes of EFSA’s CEF Panel working group on FCMs now available online
Four scientific articles report on phthalate exposure sources and impacts; diet partly explains urinary phthalate levels in adolescents and children surveyed in the US and New Zealand; review of reviews summarizes human health impacts; finds studies on women “generally underrepresented”; study indicates three phthalates affect human oral health
Guidance document for pregnant women receives criticism from Times columnist
ECHA requires registration of biocides in FCMs falling under the Biocidal Products Regulation by September 1, 2016
Five studies on microplastic presence and effects on central nervous system (CNS) and reproductive organs; study finds microplastics of some but not all polymer types enter human CNS, especially after blood-brain barrier impairment; review concludes microplastics induce neurotoxicity; scientists demonstrate presence of microplastics in female reproductive tissue and male para-tumor and tumor prostate samples; associate microplastic presence with sperm dysfunction
Consultancy McKinsey & Company publishes paper on consumers’ views towards sustainability in packaging, as influenced by COVID 19 pandemic; urges more focus on proactive communication with consumers and supply chain partners, holistic approach to sustainability and hygiene requirements
Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) publishes results of analyzed urine samples from 52 European decision-makers and public figures; tests for 28 chemicals commonly used in single-use plastic food packaging, shows average of 20 detected in each person; calls for decision-makers to prioritize public exposure to food contact chemicals
EFSA CEP Panel publishes minutes of the 6th and 7th meetings of its Working Group on BPA safety reevaluation; experts discuss appraisal methodology and scoring schemes, identify need for additional WG members to tackle reprotoxicity and neurotoxicity assessment
EFSA publishes Annual Activity Report 2015 and a revised version of Programming document with strategic outlook for 2016-2019
The Food Packaging Forum Foundation is a science communication organization that provides independent and balanced information on issues related to food packaging and health. In doing so, the Foundation addresses a broad range of stakeholders including business decision makers, regulators, media and communication experts, scientists and consumers.
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