Experts discussed future changes in the European legislation on FCMs, summarized state of the art in analytical chemistry and toxicity testing, and introduced novel techniques to measure and reduce chemical migration from FCMs into food
Webinar on analytics for food contact materials
American Chemical Society hosts webinar on analytical methods for food contact substances on April 28, 2016
EU Member States will evaluate 22 chemicals in 2017
ECHA adopts updated Community Rolling Action Plan for 2017-2019; 22 substances to be evaluated in 2017, of which 7 are relevant for food contact materials
Spain aims to restrict use of recycled material in food contact materials
The proposal would limit the use of recycled material in PET food contact materials to 50%
Beyond BPA – Many bisphenols migrate from food packaging
Four studies investigate bisphenol (BP) migration from food packaging and human health effects; demonstrate wide presence of 11 bisphenols in polystyrene take-out food containers from China, Canada, and Poland; report material quality influences BPA migration from polycarbonate cups; indicate higher BPA migration from lined cans than plastic packaging into meat based on probabilistic models; find bisphenols A, F, and S induce genotoxic effects and changes in human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) expression using human blood cells
Microplastics in sea salt
Researchers find microplastic particles in commercial sea salts from different countries; human intake estimated to be low; more research needed to assess health risks
Sweden to propose BPA analogue as SVHC
Swedish Chemicals Agency will propose 4,4′-isobutylethylidenediphenol as substance of very high concern to avoid regrettable substitution of bisphenol A
Low dose experts meet in Berlin
Experts unite in Berlin to discuss low dose effects and non-monotonic dose response curves
Phthalates in bottled water
Review of 5 phthalates’ concentrations found in bottled water across 21 countries; measured concentrations ‘not a serious concern’ for public health, but ‘significant’ estrogenic effects possible
14 years elapse before action is taken on CoCs
New study tracks the fate of chemicals of concern, finds that typically 14 years elapse between initial safety concern and appropriate action