National Health Commission (NHC) standards refine existing requirements for composites, printing inks, paper/paperboard, bamboo/wood, and detergents used in food contact; public comments being accepted until November 30, 2020
Study investigates microplastics release from baby bottles
Article published in Nature Food describes release of microplastics from polypropylene baby bottles following cleaning and sterilization steps; releases of up to 16.2 million particles per liter, average infant exposure from feeding in the range of 14,600 to 4.5 million microplastic particles per infant per day
Reaction to public consultation on EDC criteria
CHEM Trust responds to EU Commission’s public consultation on EDC criteria; urges EU institutions to change Commission’s proposal to better protect people and wildlife
Third roundtable meeting on endocrine disruptors
EDC roadmap, impact assessment, public consultation and on-going studies discussed by members of the European Commission and Parliament
EFSA working group on FCMs: 25th meeting
Updated meeting minutes of EFSA’s CEF Panel working group on FCMs now available online
Phthalate exposure and health impacts
Four scientific articles report on phthalate exposure sources and impacts; diet partly explains urinary phthalate levels in adolescents and children surveyed in the US and New Zealand; review of reviews summarizes human health impacts; finds studies on women “generally underrepresented”; study indicates three phthalates affect human oral health
Opinion: Pregnant women may cut fresh food to avoid chemicals
Guidance document for pregnant women receives criticism from Times columnist
Registration of biocides in FCMs
ECHA requires registration of biocides in FCMs falling under the Biocidal Products Regulation by September 1, 2016
Packaging sustainability during the pandemic
Consultancy McKinsey & Company publishes paper on consumers’ views towards sustainability in packaging, as influenced by COVID 19 pandemic; urges more focus on proactive communication with consumers and supply chain partners, holistic approach to sustainability and hygiene requirements
ZWE biomonitoring detects phthalates, bisphenols
Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) publishes results of analyzed urine samples from 52 European decision-makers and public figures; tests for 28 chemicals commonly used in single-use plastic food packaging, shows average of 20 detected in each person; calls for decision-makers to prioritize public exposure to food contact chemicals