Of the 54 new substances listed as Substance of Very High Concern under REACH, 2 are authorized for use in plastic food contact materials in Europe
New BfR statement on polyamide oligomers
German risk assessment institute uses newly received toxicity data to establish group migration limit of 5mg/kg food for PA6 and PA66 oligomers
Gain weight because of endocrine disruption?
A study by scientists from the New York University’s School of Medicine published in September 2012 found elevated levels of a common food contact substance, bisphenol A (BPA), to be associated with a higher risk for being overweight in children and adolescents. The study used nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study collected in 6 to 19 year old US inhabitants. The study’s design does not permit conclusions regarding causation, however biological plausible explanations of how BPA may cause overweight or obesity do exist, making the study relevant and highlighting the need for further research.
BPI guidelines for compostable FCMs
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) publishes set of guidelines for labeling and identifying compostable food contact materials (FCMs); aims to reduce contamination of composting waste streams; focuses on improved labelling and communication of compostable products
Opinion: Scientists call European Commission’s proposed EDC regulation over-precautionary
Group of scientists calls for maintaining chemical regulation’s status quo; toxicologist and pharmacologist express concern that the forthcoming EDC regulation will not be based on science and erase established risk assessment approaches
Rethinking safe levels
Scientific review shows that some chemicals are proportionately more toxic at lower exposure levels; “dose makes poison” principle indicates that current risk assessment approaches underestimate chemical toxicity
Dietary intake of BPA in the US
New study estimates BPA intake of US adults via diet, canned vegetables are a major contributor to exposure
FPF study: Food contact articles from all major markets contain potential and confirmed breast carcinogens
In a peer-reviewed article, researchers from the Food Packaging Forum identify and discuss nearly 200 potential breast carcinogens detected in food packaging and other food contact materials (FCMs) on the market; when limited to migration studies published in 2020-22, 76 potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens were measured; including in FCMs from EU, US, China, and elsewhere
New tool to evaluate EDC science
Collaboration of international scientists develop SYRINA framework for reviewing and assessing studies on endocrine disruptors; urge regulators to use these new methods for decision-making
Global Food Contact Conference 2022: updates from Asia
Smithers conference covers global developments in food contact regulations and materials; speakers on day two review recent and upcoming changes to food packaging regulations in China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia