European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes technical report considering two new toxicological studies on bisphenol S (BPS) submitted under REACH; determines that current specific migration limit of 0.05 mg/kg food remains unaffected, calls for more data on migration into food
US EPA removes PFAS from Safer Choice Program
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removes the last two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the agency’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List; Safer Choice Program products to be PFAS-free by March 2023; issues letter to handlers of fluorinated polyolefin containers raising awareness for presence of unintended PFAS that may violate Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Study appraisal for BPA reassessment
European Food Safety Authority completes study appraisal methodology for BPA reassessment; final version of assessment protocol to be published later with new BPA opinion
US obesity rates remain high
New NGO report reveals overall high obesity incidence in the entire U.S., rates of increase slowing down since 2005
EFSA publishes draft opinion and protocol for phthalates in FCMs
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes draft opinion on prioritization of phthalates used in food contact materials (FCMs), protocol for dietary exposure assessment of prioritized substances; both documents open for public comment until December 16, 2021
Civil society organizations concerned about TTIP negotiations
169 organizations concerned about TTIP negotiations in various areas including chemicals and food standards
Tritan® case continued: Bittner appeals
Magazine reports new details of Eastman Chemical vs. PlastiPure and CertiChem case, compares chemical industry tactics to big tobacco
EFSA updates criteria for evaluating PET recycling processes
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) updates its guidelines for assessing PET recycling processes for materials intended for food contact; applicants must include information on collection, pre-processing, decontamination, post-processing, and intended use; potential dietary exposure of contaminants must not exceed 0.0025 μg/kg body weight per day
Diabetes: 422 million cases worldwide
Diabetes prevalence has increased worldwide between 1980 and 2014, according to new WHO study; article discusses range of chemicals potentially linked to diabetes and obesity
Guidance for risk assessment of FCMs
EFSA’s proposal for new exposure estimates and next steps explained during 2nd International Conference on Food & Beverage Packaging in Rome