European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes report on motivations for companies to substitute hazardous chemicals; greatest drivers found to be regulatory restrictions under REACH, customer demand, internal sustainability strategies
Consumer perspectives on switching to reusable packaging
Four recent studies explore how to switch to reusable packaging; concerns related to hygiene and return logistics are barriers identified by all studies; cultural and socio-economic factors, the food items, and the setting play major role in the successful rollout; consumer desirability, business viability, sustainability, and technical feasibility are interlocked, and their combined analysis can support the roll-out of reuse systems
Webinar on drivers for change in FCMs
Chemical Watch webinar to discuss challenges, trends, and opportunities in food contact materials (FCMs); include presentations from Nestlé and HAVI
Nestlé and Havi: Drivers for change in FCMs and packaging
Danone uses bioplastics for yogurt packaging
PLA packaging estimated safer, cost-neutral and with greater price stability
Review of bioplastics highlights costs
Plastics News discusses PHA bioplastics; outlines production pathways, market development, price compared to traditional plastics
Berlin: Multidisciplinary professionals meet to discuss food packaging
From 14 to 16 November interdisciplinary food packaging experts will meet to discuss quality and safety of food contact materials.
Guide to safer disposable foodware
Center for Environmental Health tests fluorine content in disposable foodware, finds over half of the products to be fluorinated, provides recommendations to purchasers and manufacturers
Best practice guide for FCM printing
Printing inks manufacturer publishes 4th edition of low migration guide, practical advice for ensuring compliance of printing inks in food contact materials
EDC criteria: Latest revision and next meeting
EU Commission publishes latest version of revised criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; NGOs and industry still dissatisfied with proposed criteria; next expert meeting, and possible vote, to be held February 28, 2017