U.S. retailer Target announces new sustainability goals for its own-brand packaging, pledges efforts to improve recycling and increase demand for recycled packaging
Walmart evaluates its chemical footprint
Walmart becomes first retailer to participate in Chemical Footprint Project survey, measuring its use and reduction of chemicals of concern
Mineral oils in oat flakes
German consumer magazine tests oat flakes for contaminants, finds flakes tainted with mineral oils
Revised EDC criteria not adequate, NGOs say
Non-profit organization ChemSec, part of EDC-Free Europe, deems revised EU EDC criteria do not adequately protect public health and environment
Lindsey Parkinson
Data Scientist and Scientific Editor
EU Parliament: Draft report
European Parliament publishes draft report on the implementation of food contact materials regulation; calls on the European Commission to harmonize regulations for more FCMs, improve on risk assessment and enforcement
The Guardian discusses plastic food container safety
Article introduces recent research quantifying chemicals that could be present in packaging, testing chemical toxicity; emphasizes chemical unknowns, recommends tips for consumers to minimize chemical and plastic particle exposure
Endocrine effects of parabens
Scientists review evidence on paraben preservatives acting as estrogenic endocrine disruptors; certain effects observed in animals not confirmed in humans; studies on parabens’ effects on immune and nervous system lacking
Plastic bags linked to reproductive failures
New study investigates substances from multilayer plastic bags, cause reproductive failures in artificial insemination
Opinion: Avoid FCMs with fluorinated chemicals
Scientists’ public statement recommends consumers to avoid nonstick cookware and grease proof food packaging containing poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)