Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) officially publishes standards for plastic utensils and microwaveable containers that come into contact with food; standards set migration limits for plastic food contact materials and defines how compliant packaging must be tested and marked; new standards effective January 3, 2023; improperly marked food contact articles will not be allowed on the market after the effective date
Infertility and synthetic chemicals
Epoch Times links male infertility to synthetic chemicals; triclosan affects sperm’s sense of orientation
Advancing recycling of paper cups
Industry initiative “Paper Cup Manifesto” aims to improve recovery and recycling of paper cups
European Parliament passes resolution on chemicals strategy
Calls for ‘one substance – one hazard assessment’ principle, specific provisions for endocrine disrupting chemicals in food contact materials to be treated similar to substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction
Chronic PS nanoplastics exposure found to impact mitochondrial health, impairing cell metabolism
New study examines long-term effects of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics on mitochondrial health under realistic exposure conditions; repeated exposure to PS nanoplastics impaired mitochondrial function and cell differentiation process, possibly linked to metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity; other recent studies found that PS micro- and nanoplastics negatively affect immune function, pregnancy outcomes, and gut health in various models
EU surveys phthalate uses in FCMs
DG SANTE seeks information on the uses of phthalates in plastic, non-plastic, multilayer food contact materials; survey open until November 8, 2019
Avoiding drinking water from garden hoses
CBC news advises against drinking water from garden hoses; may leach phthalates, BPA & lead above drinking water standards
WHO report on microplastics in drinking water
Microplastics do not currently pose human health risk in drinking water according to World Health Organization; studies however seen as limited and often unreliable; calls for standardization of analysis methods and minimization of plastic pollution
Sweden supports EU restrictions on microplastics
Swedish Chemicals Agency sees need for extended ban on microplastics in cosmetic and other chemical products, endorses restriction at EU level
India plans ban on single-use plastic items
Government authority publishes draft ban set to come into force in three phases; would ban import, manufacture, and sale of plastic candy and ice cream sticks after January 1, 2022; expands ban to include plates, cups, cutlery, trays, certain wrapping films after July 1, 2022; proposal open for public comment until May 2021