BBC2 report investigates chemical exposure from plastic food packaging and consults with leading toxicologists; likely no concern for average adults; reducing plastic use recommended
Ongoing efforts to prevent plastic pollution
Pacific island Vanuatu to ban single-use plastic bags and bottles to prevent ocean pollution; Press of Atlantic City calls on visitors and residents of New Jersey shoreline to reduce use of plastic convenience items
US states continue to develop local PFAS regulations
Maryland bans intentionally added PFAS in paper and board packaging, disposable plastic gloves by January 2024; Washington State accelerates PFAS Chemical Action Plan, Department of Ecology reported to be hiring more staff to undertake the accelerated timeline; Washingtonians say food related products should be main concern of state’s Safer Products for Washington Program; Vermont considers banning bisphenols in food packaging
Nanoparticles found in food products
Friends of the Earth publishes new report on nanoparticles; 94 food products contain nanoparticles
New study highlights limits of personal choices aimed at reducing EDC exposure, contradicts previous research
Neither expert recommendations nor dietary intervention led to significant reduction in food-packaging derived EDC body burden, reports new US study. Regulatory action is called for to ensure food safety.
Negative list of packaging materials
Nestlé publishes a list of materials to be avoided in its packaging because of recycling difficulties, including PVC, PVDC, PS, ePS, regenerated cellulose, unrecyclable multilayers; industry association counters that ePS can be recycled
Styrene may be a human carcinogen
US National Research Council concludes review of styrene; substance reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen
Plastic recycling: company commitments and chemical safety challenges
Scientists report most large companies commit to reducing plastic pollution but focus on recycling; extrusion of recycled materials and legacy compounds in recycled materials as safety challenge; some substances increase others decrease with the increase in recycled content in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles; tentatively identify 212 volatile chemicals in 57 different recycled PET flakes available in China; present migration model to characterize the exposure and risk of PET oligomers
Letter from EU Health Commissioner on FCM concerns
European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety responds to CHEM Trust regarding concerns with current EU food contact material legislation, recognizes stakeholder concerns, promises to move ahead with prioritization of harmful substances including endocrine disruptors
Commission presents ‘European Green Deal’
European Commission publicly announces new deal to serve as roadmap for making EU’s economy sustainable; includes creation of chemicals strategy for sustainability, zero-pollution action plan, circular economy action plan, farm to fork strategy; timeline for actions published