Colombian health ministry publishes emergency technical regulation setting migration limits for lead and cadmium in food contact glass and ceramics; new limits effective until July 2020
EFSA assesses 2 food contact substances
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers selenium nanoparticles and isobutane safe for use in plastic food contact materials under certain conditions
Mineral oils in chocolate bars
Foodwatch study finds contamination of chocolate products and potato chips with mineral oils; call for strict limit levels in food and mandatory use of functional barriers
BfR recommends lowering EU limits on heavy metals
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes position statement on specific migration limits for lead, cadmium, and cobalt from ceramic food contact materials; derives recommended limits up to 400 times lower than values allowed by current directive
Antimony migration in Turkish and Brazilian PET bottled beverages below TDI
Two studies assess antimony presence and migration from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles sold in Brazil and Turkey; detect antimony in almost all samples and in levels below Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI); find migration to increase with temperature, storage time, and beverage pH
Plasticizers in Chinese wine
Chinese Alcoholic Drinks Association admits that virtually all wine contains phthalates
EFSA study: Bioaccumulation and toxicity of mineral oils
New EFSA scientific study tests different mixtures of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), relevant to human diet, in rats; bioaccumulation at low dose MOSH exposure in humans possibly underestimated; MOSH appear persistent in adipose tissue
EFSA evaluates 2 new substances for use in FCMs
Adipic acid dihydrazide and 1,7-octadiene are not of a safety concern for consumers
Recycled paperboard food packaging is a manageable source of chemical contaminants
FPF reports on new European study showing that inner bags can reduce overall migration, depending on material used
India’s draft food packaging rules
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India notifies WTO of draft food packaging regulations containing 17 standards for food contact materials; comments accepted for 60 days