EFSA considers PET additive and co-monomer for polyesters safe for food contact
Challenges and developments in plastic converter industry
Food Contact Plastics Seminar 2019 discusses use of the mutual recognition principle, improved supply chain communication, analysis of non-intentionally added substances, and regulation of recycling for plastic FCMs
EDCs: Sweden wins court case against European Commission
General Court of the European Union concludes that the European Commission has breached EU law by failing to define criteria for identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals
JRC addresses combined exposure to chemicals
The EU Commission’s JRC publishes a comprehensive overview on safety assessment of chemical mixtures
UV-328, PFCAs, chlorinated paraffins move closer to global restrictions
17th meeting of the Stockholm Convention’s Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) considers scientific evidence, agrees to move all substances onto next step in review process; long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, and UV-328 all known to have been used in food packaging
Non-target screening of silicone rubber extracts
Scientists perform non-target screening of compounds extracted from infant silicone teats; identify 140 compounds in 12 categories; more than a third of substances need safety evaluation
Studies report on oligomer migration from food packaging
Scientists perform migration experiments for oligomer analysis; one study detects eight chemicals including six non-intentionally added oligomers to migrate from multilayer biodegradable teacups; second study reports on oligomer migration from polycarbonate tableware as ‘hidden source’ of bisphenol A (BPA)
China seeks comments on 11 food contact chemicals
China’s National Center for Food Safety and Risk Assessment seeks comments on expanded uses of 4 food contact chemicals (FCCs) and 7 new FCCs; two substances are listed in the Food Packaging Forum’s food contact chemicals database as substances of potential concern; comments accepted until September 10, 2021
Chipotle expands PFAS free packaging
Chipotle restaurants aim to phase out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from packaging by the end of 2021, follows commitments made in early 2020; PFAS already eliminated from burrito bowls in the US, Canada, and soon Europe; company is working with suppliers to prioritize food safety in all parts of packaging production
New Walmart policy may reduce toxins in consumer products
Walmart secretive about 10 ‘high priority’ chemicals to be removed from consumer products, policy may nevertheless transform consumer product manufacture