Taiwanese researchers measure increased levels of melamine in people after consumption of a hot soup from melamine plastic table ware
Science-based proposals for reducing packaging and increasing recycling rates
Researchers investigate packaging use and recycling as well as improvement options; find globalization and time-deprived society to majorly drive food packaging use and recommend economic degrowth to reduce use; report 11% of Spain’s plastic waste efficiently recycled, well below official reports from waste management companies; emphasize need to change material and packaging design to reach circularity targets
BPA still in food cans
Extensive analysis in the U.S. and Canada finds most food cans still coated with BPA-based epoxy; BPA-free alternatives may be questionable
Consumer perception: the role of eco-labels and innovative packaging
Italian studies investigate consumer perception and attitude; find food- and packaging-related eco-labels to equally signal higher food quality and safety to consumers; demonstrate high willingness of consumers to buy active, intelligent, and sustainable packaging; survey in UK finds adding stickers with clear recycling messages increases recycling behavior
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)
Cofresco Forum Round Table
Migration of metals from ceramic and glass FCMs
EU reference laboratory for FCMs publishes report on interlaboratory comparison exercise to determine metal migration from decorated ceramic and glass tableware
Throwaway Packaging, Forever Chemicals: European wide survey of PFAS in disposable food packaging and tableware and efforts to phase it out at top US Grocery and Fast-food Chains
6th Round-table Meeting: Rethink, Reduce, Recycle
Japan preparing food contact material regulation for June 2025 enforcement deadline
Japan finalizes structure of positive list for synthetic polymer containing utensils, containers, and packaging for food contact; lists 21 approved polymer types and 827 approved additives; consultation on additional additives ongoing; positive list system must be fully implemented by manufacturers by June 2025